Redesigned MacBook Pro 2016, 13-inch MacBook Air Confirmed for Imminent Release Date with Intel Skylake? (Photo : Martin Hajek)
Apple is largely believed to reveal a redesigned MacBook Pro 2016 and a refreshed 13-inch MacBook Air on October 27 but the exact feature upgrades packed with the devices remain wrapped in mystery. But a new report claimed that the rumored OLED touch bar is confirmed part of the deal and will be called Magic Toolbar.
Known tech trademark watcher Brian Conroy, according to MacRumors, recently unearthed a trademark filing owned by a company called Presto Apps America LLC. The tech is for a mysterious device and will be marketed as Magic Toolbar and Conroy, also known for his blog The Trademark Ninja, is convinced that the feature will end up in an upcoming MacBook model.
Conroy said Presto Apps America LLC is actually Apple and the Magic Toolbar patented by the firm will be the OLED touch bard that has been rumored as among the key feature upgrades for the MacBook Pro 2016. If true, the Magic Toolbar will take the place of the conventional function keys that with the OLED core feature will allow for automatic reconfiguration of functions depending on the task that users are working on the screen.
Conroy said that only a tech titan like Apple could own the Magic Toolbar patent given the company's clout, which "almost certain to be able to object to and defeat," any form of challenges. "And that's the main reason that I'm putting my neck on the line and saying that 'Presto Apps America LLC' is actually Apple," he added.
The Trademark Ninja also noted that he discovered the same names as responsible for the patent filings of both the Magic Toolbar and AirPod that Apple recently released with the iPhone 7/7 Plus, which should further bolster his conclusion that Presto Apps America LLC is actually a front of the iPhone maker.
Thursday next week, the MacBook Pro 2016 in 13-inch and 15-inch form factors is likely to be revealed with a lone MacBook Air refresh with 13-inch screen profile. The MBP 2016 is touted to boast of a redesigned build that will deliver a device that is slimmer and lighter than the past models.
MacOS Sierra, which Apple introduced back in June, will power the new MacBooks with Intel Skylake (or Kaby Lake) providing the processing juice. For the high-end 15-inch MacBook Pro 2016, AMD's Polaris 11 GPU is said to be part of the package.
On release date, likely set anytime this coming November, the MacBook Pro 2016 will have Touch ID fingerprint sensor embedded on the power button and Siri for Mac for hands-free functionalities. It remains unclear if the same feature bumps will be extended to the refreshed MacBook Air.
