Apple’s touchscreen display concept on the MacBook Pro in 2016 was abandoned last year but engineers from Hong Kong have developed a similar product compatible with Mac and Windows called the Flexbar.
Although Apple’s Touch Bar failed to live up to expectations, the Flexbar offers improved customization and can be used with various devices. It features a 9.8 x 0.28-inch OLED display that can be personalized through an application called FlexbarDesigner.
The Flexbar can be positioned wherever needed and comes preloaded with shortcut combinations for popular software apps. It can adapt its interface based on the active task and has a Workspace feature to assign favorite display layouts to keys.
Users can personalize the Flexbar using FlexbarDesigner, which allows for the creation of icons, shortcuts, controls, features, and functions. The device also supports macro recording and automated workflow sequences.
Compatible with Mac and Windows devices, the Flexbar features an AMOLED touch panel and is constructed from aluminum alloy. The project is currently on Kickstarter with pledges starting at US$119, and shipping is expected to begin in February 2025.
Source: ENIAC
Flexbar Hands-On
