Apple patents keyboardless MacBook design

In the not-too-distant future, your next Apple MacBook may lack something you never thought you could live without: a keyboard.

Apple's patent for a “configurable force-sensitive input structure for an electronic device” was made public last Thursday, April 7.

According to a report on Mashable Asia, Apple is looking at “zero-travel” input surfaces. Much like a touch screen, the surface would sense the force of the user's fingers and return feedback when pressed.

One advantage of this technology is the configurability of the keypads. Users could configure the way the keys are arranged. Say you wanted a separate number pad, then you can set it at the side of the general keys.

Another advantage would be eliminating the burden of having to clean the gaps between the keys. With such a solid surface, less to no dirt will ever get into device.

However, there would still be a grid of micro-perforations or holes to tell you where the keys are. The individual buttons will be visible depending on the lighting below the surface.

Apple fans may have to wait a little longer before they can get a hand on a key-less Macbooks, as not all Apple patents necessarily turn into products. February this year, Apple also patented a no-touch, close proximity surface in which you can perform actions without touching the surface. — Kiersnerr Gerwin Tacadena/TJD, GMA News