Apple's assault on the mouse with its new multi-touch keyboard patent

If Microsoft's touch mouse eliminates the requirement of the mousepad, then with Apple's new touch-sensitive keyboard, you won't even require a mouse at all. The keyboards application is being developed by patent company FingerWorks - a company that was acquired by Apple in 2005. But Apple has previously introduced a number of changes to replace the traditional keyboards, which included: non-QWERTY layouts, concave and convex surfaces, capacitive keys, split designs, membrane keys, etc. But the ergonomics were not sufficient enough to entirely replace the previous designs.

fingerworks multi touch keyboard

fingerworks

In the recent new touch-sensitive keyboard, four slot cameras would be around the perimeter of a multi-touch keyboard - tracking the finger movements. A motion-sensitive area is another feature in this keyboard which can be used for performing the usual mouse or trackpad functions and windows scrolling tasks. The point here to be noted is that the keys would be almost similar with the previous designs for averting complexity. There would also be a provision of special key that would help in switching between mouse mode and keyboard mode.

The patent application has been authored by John Elias, a core member of the co-founders at FingerWorks.

Via: Gizmodo/MacRumors