Apple could be arming the MacBook with an E Ink keyboard in 2018 if rumors are true that they are in collaboration with startup company Sonder. (Photo : Getty Images/Ben Pruchnie)
Apple could be applying big changes for the MacBook line by 2018 if the word out is true that E Ink keyboards will be added as new features to future notebooks. This may eventually occur if the word out is true that Tim Cook did meet with Sonder’s Francisco Sierra-Martins in China last week.
The possibility of seeing new E Ink keyboards on the MacBook in the near future came up after claims that a prototype of an Apple E Ink keyboard was spotted an event sponsored by Foxconn, the Guardian reported. The spotted keyboard allegedly had backlighting and an E Ink display on each key.
However, questions arise on the credibility of the story. Apparently, the Guardian cited a Reddit post which has now been deleted. The post claimed that the spotted dynamic keyboards are a solid indication of future technology, eventually hooked to future MacBooks from Apple, the Wall Street Journal reported.
Being a startup company, Sonder is seen as the group likely to benefit from these allegations. There is word that Apple is also in talks to acquire Sonder but even that was shot down by the startup company’s CEO. As a consolation, the stir will certainly do well to ramp up the fortunes of Sonder with all the attention tied up to its E Ink keyboard. The piece is available for pre-order for $199.
With Apple expected to unveil the MacBook Pro 2016 any day soon, the sudden shift to potential backlit E Ink display keyboards may have come at a questionable time. The closest feature tied up to the keyboard changes for the upcoming MacBooks is the shift to OLED touch bar strips that will pick up from the traditional function keys.
If a major change in keyboards is indeed in the works for the MacBook, that could be a start of things to come. It will depend on how customers will adapt and react to the changes which could be a big and lush change moving forward for MacBook loyalists.
Until that time comes, it would be best to see what exactly the hype is about the Sonder E Ink keyboards. The video below provides us with a glimpse of what makes the said technology so different from the traditional QWERTY keyboards.
