Got a tip for us? Share it...
• • RSS

Apple 'Touch Finger LCDs'

Monday February 20, 2006 8:15 pm PST by Arnold Kim
Engadget has publicized an unconfirmed rumor from NewTechSpy that Apple is working on incorporating color LCD buttons alongside the trackpad of future MacBooks. The new LCD keys would reportedly change their image based on what function they are assigned to.

The idea appears to be similar to the much publicized OLED Optimus keyboard which utilizes OLED screens for the physical keys, allowing images to be displayed on the keys themselves.

NewTechSpy has no previous history as a rumor source, so this should be taken cautiously.
[ 31 comments ]

Top Rated Comments

(View all)

Avatar
pdpfilms
78 months ago
This sounds ugly.
Rating: 0 Positives / 0 Negatives
Avatar
themacman
78 months ago
maybe on the new 20'' macbook :D
Rating: 0 Positives / 0 Negatives
Avatar
Demon
78 months ago
Let's just see the Mac Tablets first before we go into such unlikely rumors. Engadget is a rumor mill and although highly entertaining, it's not a source of apple products to come. i'd like to see if there in fact is a new iPod on its way as there's really no computer which interests me until most software becomes "universal" :)
Rating: 0 Positives / 0 Negatives
Avatar
generik
78 months ago

This sounds ugly.


Wow.. I think it is a great idea :eek:

When it does come out I'd bet you'll go nuts over it and want to have Jonathan Ive's babies :p
Rating: 0 Positives / 0 Negatives
Avatar
matthewHUB
78 months ago
Maybe on Steve's new 8 pound iPod with the 10 inch screen. Sounds like BS to me.

M
Rating: 0 Positives / 0 Negatives
Avatar
syklee26
78 months ago
IMO it would serve nothing more than an eye candy. I don't really see an advantage of using that.
Rating: 0 Positives / 0 Negatives
Avatar
nagromme
78 months ago
Could be cool--but I remain skeptical.
Rating: 0 Positives / 0 Negatives
Avatar
Analog Kid
78 months ago
I like the Optimus concept (and I like the designers sense of humor even more), but I don't think it's ready for prime time yet. I wonder if it might have been a better call to go with monochrome to get better pixel density and a smoother image on those tiny displays.

That, combined with the quality of the article and Apples tendency to keep things really simple leads me to classify this one under "bunk". I take this to be one guys idea of a good idea wrapped in a rumor article.
Rating: 0 Positives / 0 Negatives
Avatar
Super Dave
78 months ago
Apple has a patent (or applied for one) for LEDs that would change depending on the operating system. This could be the result/direction of that patent if it's not make believe.

http://appft1.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&u=/netahtml/PTO/search-adv.html&r=1&p=1&f=G&l=50&d=PG01&S1=20040156192.PGNR.&OS=dn/20040156192&RS=DN/20040156192?tMoJk

Sorry I can't find a more abridged version of the patent. Macsimum news used to have one but I can't find it.

David :cool:
Rating: 0 Positives / 0 Negatives
Avatar
Kingsly
78 months ago

IMO it would serve nothing more than an eye candy. I don't really see an advantage of using that.

Could be cool--but I remain skeptical.


Lets not forget who we're talking about here. If anyone can pull it off, Apple Computer can.
Rating: 0 Positives / 0 Negatives

[ Read All Comments ]