Engadget has photos of a “‘super slim,’ brushed aluminum [MacBook-like] keyboard said to be accompanying Apple’s new iMac computer. It certainly appears to share the key design of the MacBook… A forum jockey over at the Rhapsody Apple forum in Hong Kong will sell you the keyboard (s/he has more than one) for 1,200 of the local stuff or about $153.40. Word to the wise, the consensus amongst rumor sites shows the new iMac coming as early as August 7th so you might want to hold onto that wad for a few more days to see what happens,” Thomas Ricker reports.
Ricker reports that the images look quite geniune, “but did they really remove the Apple logo from the command key?”
Full article with the photos here.
These look like the real thing to us, too. Removing the Apple from the Command key makes sense from Apple’s perspective, as it would only help further ease the minds of nervous potential switchers – “uhh, what’s that ‘weird” key?” You can bet they hear that in the Apple Retails Stores pretty often. Still, Apple ought to give us Mac users an optional key with the Apple on it! We like Open-Apple the way it is! (Yes, we do still miss good ol’ Closed-Apple. R.I.P., buddy, R.I.P.)!
Eh – big deal, we all got used to usb rather than fire wire iPods. If it is all to the greater success of Apple Inc. so be it.
This doesn’t look exactly ergonomic to me.
The location of the eject and volume buttons is inconsistent with the current keyboards…
If this is real, then the Command key is labeled well – it actually says ‘Command’.
What would helpful is if the Shift, Control and Option keys also showed their respective iconographical representation.
VTguy,
Neither did the MacBook, but it is.
Looks like the power button on F4, and can anybody figure what the icon is on F#3
Keyboard? I thought everything was going to multi-touch. What do we need with a keyboard? I’m confused.
its not the real keyboard,they to rethink it again,and the bluetooth model only fits on this prototype,there is too much mess on this image.
That will be Apple product #3 for me.
I’d really like to see light-up keys like the MBP.
Real.
I’d sure be happy if the apple is removed from the command key. I get tired of newcomers saying “oh, did you mean the apple key?”
looks like F3 is “spaces”
F3 is an expose’ icon
Check out:
http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/rumor-forensics/imac-ultra+thin-metal-keyboard-images-may-show-dashboard-media-icons-283117.php
for nice view of the board.
I think it’s a prototype of one design they considered, but I’m not convinced it’s the final shipping product. I wouldn’t mind this overall design, but I don’t think they should bother changing the volumen and eject key location. I also think the brightness and iTunes buttons should be separate, instead of using the function keys. But I’ve used Mac for 16 years and I won’t stop because of some keyboard I’d have to adjust to. (Maybe I should just go back to using my LCIII with System 7.1!)
@tz,
What the hell are you blathering about?
I prefer dedicated buttons for the sounds and CD eject
Almost certainly one of many versions test manufactured and possibly rejected.
Even if it looks fantastic to us, it may not to the Apple team.
Why have an aluminum frame AND white plastic buttons?
I’m calling fake or prototype just because of the ugly factor.
Looks like an Apple product, form over function. It will probably hurt your wrists like the hockey-puck mouse did. Looks cool, but I have a feeling it won’t be fun to type on.
I actually think it looks ugly. However, I think it’s real. It surfaced in Asia where, if the rumours are all correct, iMacs should already be in production.
Wouldn’t you just love to sneak around Steve Job’s office for an hour & see what new products that they’ve got instore for us…
If it is a fake, then it’s a well done one. However, removing the apple logo from the command key is sacrilegious! What’s next? No more start-up gong?!?!?
Nigel,
Great idea! I’ve been saying it for years.
The logo on the USB connector is not an Apple Logo, that may explain why no Apple Logo on any of the keys.
So, the command button actually says “Command” on it, still has the infinite loop logo on it, but the Apple logo removed? Maybe, but not likely…
It’s a fake. as much as I think it looks cool the function keys are all wrong. f1-f12 and a close up of f16-f18? the audio keys double as F6-f9 but no function key to toggle them.
I’d love them to get rid of the Apple logo on the Command key. It just adds confusion, why they put it on their when it had it’s own Command Key symbol I don’t know. (perhaps because people might call it the squiggle?)
Either way, one or the other, I’d go with the Command symbol and call it the Command key as that’s what it always was.
When I saw the demise of the Original White and Graphite Apple Pro keyboards (Considered by keyboard snobs to be the greatest keyboard of all time) coming, I snapped up a bunch of them to ride out the current disaster of a keyboard. If this is the replacement for the current plastic bucket keyboard, then things are not well. Out of the frying pan and into the freakin’ fire! Looks cool, but that one is gonna kill my wrists. Hopefully this report is BS. Long live the Apple Pro Keyboard!
MDN word = great (as in the Apple Pro keyboard was great!)
HOAX
Apple would never get rid of the Apple key. Come on. Get serious.
I think this is the real thing.
Looks fabulous to me, can’t wait to see the new iMac (and mouse) it accompanies. Some rumours have hinted at coloured/anodised iMacs similar to iPod nano’s, maybe this keyboard will be available in matching colours like the original iMac had?
It is slim-line and I don’t this this will be the only keyboard available for other lines, though knowing Apple – you never know!
the movement of the volume buttons is wierd, now they are exactly where the keys are for expose. i DONT want to hit a modifyer key to change the volume / use expose!
I also vote to keep the Apple key.
MW: “approach”, As in approach with caution, Apple key on-board.
@tz
F4 is not power, it’s Dashboard
F3 is Expose
This keyboard snap shot is fake.
First of all, there’s no USB port to attach a MOUSE.
Having the keyboard significantly thinner than usual would indeed relieve some of the usual typing stress where you have to lift your hands at an angle when they are resting on the desk…
I know the MacBook keyboard does look strange, but it appears to be much more ergonomical than it looks.
It’d be hard to make that wireless…
@IT guy
it appears in the photo that the usb port is on the end of the keyboard
This keyboard snap shot is fake.
First of all, there’s no USB port to attach a MOUSE.
Yes, there is. It’s on either side at each end of the “bulge” that props it up at an angle.
Let’s just hope that it will finally support USB2 devices such as iPods!
I too am calling fake on account of ugly and a power button on the F4 key.
I too am calling fake on account of ugly and a power button on the F4 key.
I too am calling fake on account of ugly and a power button on the F4 key.
I too am calling fake on account of ugly and a power button on the F4 key.
Fake.
White on metalic looks ugly.
@IT Guy – If you look thru all the pics, there is a USB port for a mouse. Look at the photo where it shows the keyboard from the side. I think this is the real deal, and if the keyboard looks this good, I can’t wait to see what the iMac that accompanies it will look like! The loss of the Apple key is very disappointing, though.
Wow…that is minimalist! Nice details. Thinner than an American sandwich for sure. Salad sandwich. No meat….
I absolutely love the direction in which Apple’s design is heading. I can’t wait to see the new iMac!
I have heard through some contacts that this Apple keyboard version may contain some form of backlit tech as well….unclear if it is similar to the ambient sensors or if it is more for special keys….ie when using mac, the apple logo is displayed. When dual-booted to PC, the key turns blue and locks up your computer.
Uuumm I would like it to be all white with illuminated keyboard, separated media-keys (volume, eject, front-row
etc.) Common icons including the ⇪ plus I thought they might of made a multi-touch zone (arrows/mouse) to replace the conventional arrow-keys! Also I would have preferred a better way of incorporating USB i/o & the keys follow the portable (laptop) to much of-course for English & European keyboards including the International would have to change.
I forgot to mention that most or some programmes that use the F-keys may now launch or mute even eject your CD, DVD! These could mostly be games in the list remember under Panther when this used to happen on some programmes when the F-keys were used to launch some App’s Exposé etc.
I would rather the new keyboard magically makes MDN’s servers work better.
Maybe I’m off topic but I HAVE to vent about all these “multi-touch” iMac fanatics. What’s the deal?! I have no idea why people want the next iMac to be multitouch. Do you *really* want to bring your hand up the the screen all day long pinching and expanding things? Try it right now–move your hand up to your screen and pretend you’re flicking or scrolling things. Is it comfortable? How quick will you get tired of that? Would you like to have smudges all over the screen you look at all day long?
These people have to get out of their “Minority Report” fantasies and think about it for a nanosecond. After you do you will agree with me that it’s ridiculous. And that’s exactly why you will NOT see a multi-touch screen on the next iMac. Quote me and throw it in my face if I’m wrong if you want. But I won’t be.
I think this is a rejected prototype. Reason?
The sound keys and Eject keys are moved from the number keypad over the function keys on 9-13 function keys. Doubling the keys function? This only makes sense if your trying to save space vis-a-vis a laptop or portable device. Can anyone think of any compelling reason to have function keys out to F-19? I means I’m force to use Windows stuff at work all day, and I can’t think of any program that used the function keys in the windows world much less out to F-19.
Also little things like the dark and brightness control location? I could see it on the keyboard, but wouldn’t that be more appropriate over to where the new function keys would be.
I don’t know… This keyboard doesn’t make a lot of sense even thought it looks good. If it isn’t a fake, its a brass board proof of concept/proposal.
I despise the silver look. When is Apple going to develop something more ergonomic? I believe the photo is a fake. Not at all inspiring.
@multitouch advocates:
MM’s Right. Remember Gorilla Arm!
Looks like a very sensitive keyboard…
Dedicated function keys? You’ve got to be kidding! Does anyone really think that Apple would force its users to not be able to remap their function keys to suit their own purposes? Get real!
@ Danno Bonano
the most insightful comedy yet!
@ Danno Bonano
this is perhaps the most insightful commentary yet. the BKOD
But will it work with the iPhone?
C’mon folks. Every article has to have at least ONE iPhone tie-in.
long live OPEN APPLE!!
I forgot all about closed Apple key…. 🙁 thanks for opening that old wound MDN!!!
(rip buddy rip….lol cute)
At most it’s a test keyboard from mid-June (6|20|2007). I like the idea though of having “Command” written on the Command key, but as others have mentioned, Apple really should put the iconographic symbols of the Option, Control, Shift, and Escape keys on the key caps also. I’ve sent them feedback asking for this umpteen times in the past.
Judging by the sticker on the back, I believe that it is indeed an Apple prototype. It does not follow though, that this design has been chosen for production. Apple tries a lot of things out in the lab that never go to manufacturing.
-jcr
It could be a prototype or a fake, but definitely not a production model:
1. The font on the key tops is wrong. Apple has been using the same font since the ADB keyboards.
2. A Fn key for a desktop keyboard is characteristically un-Apple.
3. Apple wouldn’t add more F keys (to F19) unless they were assigned a specific purpose. It costs too much money and violates the minimalist design.
4. The movement of the media keys and Exposé keys makes no sense.
5. It is missing the Num Lock key and its LED. However, the Caps Lock LED is in the Caps Lock key, which is very Apple-like.
My guess is that it is a genuine prototype (see the sticker on the back) to test this form factor of keyboard switch, but not something that has been vetted by the marketing department.
The Apple logo on the Apple Developer sticker on the bottom looks like crap.
WTF does F13 do on my Apple keyboard? Nothing it seems to me…
@ishufflemyfeet
Well, shuffle on over to your System Prefs and make it do something, then.
Let your fingers do the walking, and keep your mouth from too much talking.
MDN: “wife”
>>”If this is real, then the Command key is labeled well – it actually says ‘Command’.
What would helpful is if the Shift, Control and Option keys also showed their respective iconographical representation.”
Agreed 100%
>>”When I saw the demise of the Original White and Graphite Apple Pro keyboards (Considered by keyboard snobs to be the greatest keyboard of all time) coming, I snapped up a bunch of them to ride out the current disaster of a keyboard.”
Thank god I did the same…
What would helpful is if the Shift, Control and Option keys also showed their respective iconographical representation.
European keyboards do. Only american ones seem to have the text-only key labeling.
While we all agree that the instant image is all wrong for a production model, it is an indicator where Apple is going with a keyboard design.
I use a cheap Dell keyboard all day (conditions of employment I’m afraid) , and I much prefer the Apple keyboard to it. The quality and ergonomics are much better.
Having said that, I do hope that Apple learned from the hockey puck mouse error on the original Imac (I still have mine). And not let form come in the way of function. They havent’ done that for a while so I think the lesson has been learned.
MO – A research candidate that Apple Insider discovered after it was rejected. The photos were available because of rejection by Apple and “The Insider” claimed to have intimate knowledge of the next thing. Release of the photos is supposed to convince you they know what they’re talking about. They don’t. They, et al, are trying to get you to buy into this because they know you will.
Doubt the “Daily News” will allow this into print – ’cause they’re up to the same thing.
@Dave
This is something worse (:
I unconciously made a mental note that the key is called “win key” (because the command key sits right where the win key supposed to on PC keyboards). Being a windows veteran I just couldn’t help it.
So when calling a new finder window instead of Apple-spacebar or command-spacebar, my mind would says “hmm… let’s press Win+N, shall we?”
sorry, i just learned how to call spotlight. so it got mixed up with calling finder
Some intriguing post