Apple to Replace Physical Buttons with “Invisible” Input Areas on Its Devices; Says Patent

May. 22, 2022

Apple has filed several advanced patents, trying to improve the functionalities of its devices over the past years in some way or the other. Now, a recent patent coming from the Cupertino giant suggests that it is working on developing invisible input areas for the Apple Watch, iPhones, Apple Pencil, and MacBooks to get rid of physical buttons, which is something we hear is Apple’s motive after all. Check out the details below.

Apple Patents “Invisible” Input Areas for its Device

The US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) recently revealed apatentby Apple titled “Concealable input region for an electronic device” that describes a micro-perforation technology for developing input regions on various Apple devices. These input regions, as per the patent,will be invisible to the naked eye and will seamlessly blend with the corresponding device’s design. However, when needed, these areas could become virtual buttons or notification graphics.

The patent mentions that Applecould use an array of touch-supported micro-perforations on a device’s exteriorto develop the concealable input regions. In its concept drawings, the company showed how it could use the technology to replace physical buttons on its devices with such “invisible” interactive regions. You can check out some of the examples in the attached images below.

Apple says that this technology will work with glass, ceramic, and plastic. It could eliminate the need for“large buttons, keys, or other mechanically-actuated structures”like the crown of the Apple Watch or the power button of the iPhone models. On the Apple Pencil, the technology can be used put a flat input region in an easily-accessible position without the need for a protruding physical button.

Now, the technology sounds pretty interesting and also seems similar to the technology that Apple used on its HomePod andHomePod mini. For those unaware, there is an interactive input area on top of the HomePod that lights up when Siri is activated.

A geek at heart, you’ll find me fidgeting with an iOS device or sitting in front of the laptop, scouring the internet to find interesting technological innovations. In my free time, you’d find me playing Valorant or listening to Pink Floyd.