The “virtual” keys can be physically pressed, and they can also raise bumps on the screen when the virtual keyboard is on the screens. In other words, it would be a hybrid of an on-screen keyboard and a physical keyboard. The on-screen keyboard would actually have key travel. Patent OfficeĪpple’s most recent two-screen laptop patent shows how flexible displays will enable on-screen keyboards with raised keys that can be physically pressed.Īpple achieves this in part by using a flexible display, with a keyboard-like structure underneath. The most recent patent details different methods for making an on-screen keyboard feel like a physical one. However, they do serve as an example of how companies want to use advanced technology to make all-screen keyboards far more appealing.
Two more Apple dual-screen laptop patent applications have been published in the past three weeks.Īs mere patent applications, they don’t reveal Apple’s actual plans. Touchscreen keyboards will feel like physical keyboards.Īpple has been filing patents in this category for years. Here are five reasons why you’ll love two-screen laptops.
These devices were unpleasant to use and were rejected by laptop buyers.įuture two-screen laptops will be the opposite. We’ve seen the idea tried in the past ten years in the form of Canova’s Dual-Screen Laptop, the Acer Iconia 6120 Dual Touchscreen Laptop, the Toshiba libretto W105-L251 7-Inch Dual Touchscreen Laptop and others. They’re not thinking about technology they haven’t seen or other ways of working with a device they haven’t tried.Īnother reason for the opposition is that two-screen laptops aren’t new. But people are thinking about today’s on-screen keyboards and today’s laptops, powered by today’s technology.