A virtual keyboard is just that – technically speaking, you are not supposed to be able to feel the keys when your fingers glide all by them as you type in the essential characters to structure that faraway Word document, right? Not so whether Apple has their way, perhaps some date down the road. It seems that Apple did apply for a patent which details a system that employs coded magnets and ferrofluids, resulting in haptic feedback on a touchscreen or virtual keyboard. For example, a coded magnet could be activated when a proximity sensor detects a finger approaching a touchpad or other surface that is full well capable of detecting a touch.

Within a assured closeness, the proximity sensor’s output will kick start a coded magnet located beneath the portion of the surface that is about to be impacted. that coded magnet will thereupon draw ferrofluid to it, which means the upper portion of the surface will rise. I do hope that the technology is fast ample to accommodate all of you speed typists out there, otherwise it would be a really awkward situation.

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Apple loses appeal for Dutch ban, Apple patent points to redesigned battery,

Original post by Edwin Kee