Apple Wants to Create a Mac-Inside-a-Keyboard Device

While Apple has yet to release its new keyboard, a previous patent reveals the company is planning on releasing two devices. One will be an accessory for laptops and desktops to use their existing keyboards as input; one will include all of the features like Macs have with more ports and fewer keys. The market opportunity could be huge if this product comes out successfully.

The “optimus maximus keyboard” is a concept that Apple released in order to create a Mac-Inside-a-Keyboard device. The idea was met with mixed reactions, but the keypad would be able to provide a more efficient and ergonomic experience for users.

Apple-Wants-to-Create-a-Mac-Inside-a-Keyboard-Device Image credit: Apple

According to a new patent uncovered by Patently Apple, a site that, naturally, spends much of its time hunting for Apple patents, Apple is running out of ideas and turning to decades-old video gaming systems like the Commodore 64 for inspiration.

The patent suggests that Apple is working on a Mac-inside-a-keyboard device, a self-explanatory concept in which most of the hardware is crammed into a Magic KeyboardTM, allowing users to brag about how little space their systems take up and how quickly they can move them from room to room, as if laptops don’t exist. It also seems to be a lot of fun for Apple users who have difficulties with anger control and are prone to hurling their peripherals against a wall during heated online discussions with trolls.

The use of a thermally conductive foundation, presumably as a deterrent against unwelcome items like the CPU within melting, is one of the more fascinating issues highlighted by the patent. The keyboard’s cooling system might depend on vents, enabling the gadget to act as a hand warmer during more demanding work.

There’s no word on how much anything like this would cost, but we’re talking about Apple here.

1645882646_897_Apple-Wants-to-Create-a-Mac-Inside-a-Keyboard-Device Image credit: Apple

INPUT DEVICE WITH A COMPUTER (USPTO)

An enclosure for a computer device may specify an interior volume and an exterior surface. An input component may be mounted on the outside of the building. Within the interior volume, a processing unit and a memory may be communicatively connected and placed. A single input/output port may be positioned at an enclosure-defined orifice. The processor unit and memory may be communicated with through the single input/output connector. The single input/output port may be set up to accept data and power from the processing unit, as well as to output data. An air-moving mechanism may be included in the computer device to move air along an airflow track. A thermally conductive base may be included in the enclosure.

Apple creates a new Mac computer device that mimics the Magic Keyboard’s design (Patently Apple)

Apple’s idea shows a future Magic Keyboard that might include or somehow house one or more computing components to give a portable desktop computing experience everywhere there are one or more computer displays. […] When traveling, the keyboard might contain a touchpad to avoid the need for a mouse.
The computer device may, in certain cases, have an enclosure with a thermally conductive base. A processor unit in thermal communication with the base may be included in the computing device.
A Principal Architect of Mac computers and a 16-year senior manager of Product Design are two of the patent’s creators.