MacBook Pro 2016 Rumors and Release Date: Will Apple Debut New Macs On June 13 At WWDC?

By Peter R - 12 Apr '16 06:38AM

Apple's future MacBooks could feature keyboards without keys if the company follows through a patent made public earlier this month.

The keyboard is a touch-sensitive surface that can be customized according to user preferences. The patent reportedly states that a keyless keyboard would help prevents dust entering MacBooks and also allows for a durable keyboard due to absence of movable parts.

Micro-perforations will help users type as they would on a keyboard with keys when they become backlit when typed.

"The input structure has a metal contact layer, a sense layer positioned below the metal contact layer, and a drive layer capacitively coupled to the sense layer," the patent's abstract reads.

"The input structure may also have a compliant layer positioned between and coupled to the sense layer and the drive layer, a rigid base layer positioned below the drive layer, and a set of supports positioned between the metal contact layer and the rigid base layer." The technology described in the patent has been labelled 'zero travel'.

The MacBook Pro is due for an upgrade this year and speculation is rife that Apple would unveil two versions at its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June; release of 12-inch and 15-inch MacBook Pro is highly anticipated. The new generation of MacBooks is expected to be powered by Intel Skylake processors.

Apple could be timing the debut of MacBook Pro 2016 with the release of iOS 10 at WWDC. Other specifications rumors include USB type-C, Thunderbolt 3, and improved battery life. The 15-inch MacBook Pro could come with 16 GB RAM, reports have claimed.