Apple patents giant invisible trackpad for MacBook

Apple recently filed filed with the US Patent and Trademark Office for a patent for a MacBook with a glass trackpad. The patent covers an input and tactile interface in the touchpad area, which will be frameless and reshapeable.

On top of the touchpad will be covered with a protective surface (for example, glass or sapphire), which is located above the active area of ​​the display. It is assumed that the touchpad will be visible only during use, and the zone will adapt to the usage scenario or a specific application.

This approach will also help reduce the thickness of the laptop by distributing input and output drives across the entire width of the MacBook and eliminating the traditional trackpad cutout. A similar idea has already been implemented in LG Gram Style. This is a CES 2023 laptop without a cutout for the touchpad: it only lights up when touched, while at other times the surface is empty and smooth.

It is worth noting that Apple has been engaged in such developments for a long time. Back in 2011 the company filed a patent application for a keyboard without keys that would use a touch screen for input, located under a layer of protective glass. For 12 years, the technology has not been implemented in Apple laptops or keyboards, so there is a risk that the new touchpad will be removed into a distant box.