Apple Magic Toolbar – Trademark Exclusive – New Macbook Details (opens in new tab)

(thetrademarkninja.com)

15 pointsalex_marchant9y ago10 comments

10 comments

Interesting. I just Google imaged searched for "Apple Magic Toolbar" and I noticed one of the images had the power button as part of the bar... So I'm assuming it's a touch screen bar, so if your computer freezes or acts up how do you force it off? unless the bar would be a separate CPU/device which talks to the rest of the comp...

Can't remove the battery, and if the power button is part of the GUI and not a actual button seems like it could lead to some problems in theory unless they engineered a way around it...

Otherwise this seems cool. Another pic had the F1, F2 keys, etc so probably would be a way to switch between them for apps that need the F Keys. Will be interested in learning more about this.

draw_down9y ago

Yes, it most likely the rumored OLED strip above the keyboard in the new MacBook Pro. From what I have heard, it acts as an extra toolbar for the current app, as opposed to a more system wide toolbar.

mixedCase9y ago

I don't quite get the justification of something like this over simply having more screen real estate. It's undoubtedly more expensive; is it just supposed to be a marketing gimmick to woo people? Or is there are reason why I'd want something like it?

tinus_hn9y ago

Most people never use the function keys because it's too difficult to figure out what they do. So on many keyboards already you can't use the f1-f12 keys without a modifier, otherwise you get multimedia functions that are printed on the keys.

Having the functionality shown on the keys would help.

Also Apple is probably trying to create something new to get people to buy the hardware, that's how it works. Apple does try harder than most to make their features actually useful though.

Terretta9y ago

If it could be the Dock, tap to launch/switch your own lineup of apps, that'd be slick and resolve the dock hiding versus vertical screen space problem.

zimpenfish9y ago

More screen estate in the same space would mean a denser panel - higher hardware cost. Also would mean lower battery life - higher user cost.

1 more reply

shwash9y ago

faster context switching maybe? glancing down at your keyboard is quicker than switching apps or bringing another screen up.

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10 comments

Keverw9y ago

Can't remove the battery, and if the power button is part of the GUI and not a actual button seems like it could lead to some problems in theory unless they engineered a way around it...

Otherwise this seems cool. Another pic had the F1, F2 keys, etc so probably would be a way to switch between them for apps that need the F Keys. Will be interested in learning more about this.

draw_down9y ago

mixedCase9y ago

tinus_hn9y ago

Having the functionality shown on the keys would help.

Also Apple is probably trying to create something new to get people to buy the hardware, that's how it works. Apple does try harder than most to make their features actually useful though.

Terretta9y ago

If it could be the Dock, tap to launch/switch your own lineup of apps, that'd be slick and resolve the dock hiding versus vertical screen space problem.

zimpenfish9y ago

More screen estate in the same space would mean a denser panel - higher hardware cost. Also would mean lower battery life - higher user cost.

1 more reply

shwash9y ago

faster context switching maybe? glancing down at your keyboard is quicker than switching apps or bringing another screen up.

1 more reply

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse