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Space gaming: Apple patents ultra-thin keyboard, "meteorite" keys possible

Apple's applied for a patent related to a single lever mechanism keyboard that could allow for glass, wood, stone, and even "polished meteorite" to be used as the material for the keys themselves.

The design would apparently allow for keys to travel merely 0.2mm.

"It would be beneficial to provide a keyboard for a portable computing device that is aesthetically pleasing, yet still provides the stability for each key that users desire," the application reads.

"It would also be beneficial to provide methods for manufacturing the keyboard having an especially aesthetic design as well as functionality for the portable computing device."

Appled added: "The advantages of the invention are numerous. One advantage is that a low-travel keyboard may be provided for a thin-profile computing device without compromising the tactile feel of the keyboard."

Playing games on a glass keyboard, coming to a desktop near you. Maybe. And maybe not. There's plenty more on AppleInsider.

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Patrick Garratt avatar
Patrick Garratt is a games media legend - and not just by reputation. He was named as such in the UK's 'Games Media Awards', the equivalent of a lifetime achievement award. After garnering experience on countless gaming magazines, he joined Eurogamer and later split from that brand to create VG247, putting the site on the map with fast, 24-hour a day coverage, and assembling the site's earliest editorial teams. He retired from VG247, and the games industry, in 2017.
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