Apple Patent Hints at New Hybrid Keyboard

A fork that’s also a spoon. A phone that’s also a computer. A man that’s also a bear, and also a pig. We have a fascination with hybrids and no degree of absurd portmanteau (save for the abominable Island of Dr. Moreau) will quench our thirst for more fusions. A patent application dating back to 2011 will now have us believe that Apple’s next move may be to combine a mechanical keyboard with the multi-gesture functionality of the Apple trackpad.

This could mean any number of enticing new functionality for future Macbooks and desktop keyboards. For instance, it could potentially grant the user more flexibility with one handed typing or add a “right-click” sort of application for user assignable macros. For those involved in music production, it could potentially eliminate the need for external midi controllers. In this scenario, Apple’s fusion keyboard would function as a sort of musical typewriter by way of employing typical midi accoutrements (such as velocity and aftertouch).

What other uses could Apple potentially employ for this new technology?