Apple has practically confirmed that the rumored MacBook Pro 2016 and a refreshed 13-inch MacBook Air will be unveiled on October 27 with reports suggesting that the product intro will be followed by an immediate release date. However, the reported Dynamic Magic Keyboard is likely excluded from the fresh MacBook deals.
Picking up on the original story published by The Wall Street Journal, BGR said in a report that for the 2016 MacBook upgrades Apple will be unable to use the Magic or E-ink keyboard technology from Australian firm Sonder. The dynamic keyboard, the key functions of which adapt to the task on screen, will have to wait two more years.
"Apple is planning to ditch the standard QWERTY keyboard in favor of a customizable E Ink keyboard in 2018," the report said.
Earlier reports have indicated that Apple CEO Tim Cook had met with Sonder and Foxconn, the latter backing financially the Aussie startup, to explore the possibility of the tech giant acquiring Sonder for exclusive use of the Magic Keyboard to its Mac and MacBook lines.
However, both companies denied that talks are underway though Sonder has admitted that it is looking forward for an opportunity to work with Apple. According to Apple Insider, the leaks that suggested the Sonder E-ink keyboard will make its way to the upcoming MacBook Pro and Air upgrades proved to be an effective publicity stunt to favor the Aussie firm.
"The marketing effort appears to have worked. Besides just Journal's coverage, since we were tipped by the Foxconn Insider, the Sonder Design Twitter feed has grown by more than 1,000 followers," the report said, noting too that Sonder will soon release a product that will serve as preview to the rumored Magic Keyboard for future Mac and MacBook models.
In a related report, WCCFTech said that while the customizable keyboard will be exciting for the new MacBooks it is unlikely that the technology will unpack with the Mac line too soon. "E-Ink keyboards are already available on the market, but they're too expensive for the average user," the report said.
So for the release date of the MacBook Pro 2016 models and the refreshed MacBook Air, it's safe to assume that only an OLED touch bar, Touch ID unlocking and Siri for Mac are the solid upgrades to expect. Actual unboxing is likely no later than November 2016 with MacOS Sierra and Intel Skylake (or Kaby Lake) running the show.