Future Apple MacBooks could have a glass haptic trackpad: Read More

Apple has filed a patent application with the United States Patent and Trademark Office for a future MacBook prototype with an all-glass trackpad. The patent covers a side-to-side trackpad with a force input/haptic output interface in the trackpad area made of various opaque or transparent materials such as metal, glass, organic or synthetic materials, etc. The trackpad user interface area can have a protective cover made of clear glass, sapphire or plastic that rests over the active display area of ​​the device.

When sighted by Patently Apple, Apple has submitted an application patent for a force input/haptic output interface for the future MacBook Devices. This patent proposes a design change for future devices that will reduce the thickness of MacBooks. There is currently a designated cutout area for a traditional trackpad. The force input/haptic output interface for trackpads eliminates the need for this slot.

As per the patent, the design will feature a lateral, full-surface trackpad area with no bezels. The patent adds that the opaque or transparent trackpad area will be covered by transparent protective materials such as glass, sapphire, plastic, etc.

An illustration included in the patent shows localized flexible areas on the trackpad’s force input/haptic output interface, which will also contain a haptic actuator that aids in reducing the thickness of the device.

Apple recently too secured the patent for a multi-layer flip phone for the future iPhone and iPad models. the patent includes a layered structure for curved, flexible and foldable displays. A top layer should protect the flexible display. This layer consists of a transparent substrate and a hard coating layer.