Soon after rumors started swirling that Apple is planning on hosting a MacBook launch event some time at the end of this month, an even more interesting report regarding the MacBook was published. According to The Wall Street Journal, Apple is reportedly planning to get rid of their standard QWERTY keyboard in favor of a brand-new customizable E-Ink keyboard in the upcoming 2018 MacBook models.
Image courtesy of Sonder
The article states that the keyboards are being targeted for a 2018 release. According to the report, “The new keyboards will be a standard feature on MacBook laptops, and will be able to display any alphabet, along with an unlimited number of special commands and emojis, people familiar with the plans said.”
Last week we found out that Apple is reportedly in talks to purchase a small Australian company called Sonder that specializes in developing special E-Ink keyboards. The Wall Street Journal says that Apple plans on using the keyboards in its upcoming 2018 MacBook models, and would allow the company to sell the computers in any market without having to swap out the keys on the keyboard to meet local needs.
Sonder’s E-Ink technology, paired with support in macOS, would allow Apple to create the freedom to let the keys do anything an end-user programs them to do. According to WSJ, these new keyboards would ship standard with the new models. After the MacBook event on October 27th, a clearer picture might emerge regarding the keyboard.
Anyone else excited for a customizable keyboard?
