Apple’s Disappearing Button Patent

Obviously Apple has some of the best touchscreen capabilities in the market. Recently, Apple’s latest patent is for pressure sensitive touch screen materials that would be integrated right into the laptop itself. The patent application says it would be used to eliminate hardware buttons already in use. With the release of the iPod shuffle a few months ago, it seems like Apple is raging a war on buttons, so it makes sense they would like to bring their touchscreen components to their computer line.

I think this kind of technology would be good for media controls, such as play/pause and a volume slider to control music playback. I'm really interested to see what Apple does with this technology and how it interacts with their products.

Comments

[Ann Smarty]

I'm with you. I think less hardware buttons and more touchscreen functionality could be awesome!

[Charlie Gordon]

Yeah that would be a great idea, sliding your finger on the side of your keyboard for volume controls sounds like a nice concept!

[Troy Allen]

If they could incorporate it seamlessly and make it work as good as hardware buttons, I would love it.

[matt s]

i personally prefer actual buttons for a computer, typing would be hell on a touchscreen because i have a knack for sliding my fingers on the keys without pressing them. i also like the gratification of physical buttons like the mbp's track pad that clicks on most of it.