In a surprising turn of events, the once-discontinued MacBook Pro Touch Bar is being given a second chance at life. The challenge of resurrecting Touch Bar has been embraced by a new startup called Eniac, but it’s doing so not as its own Touch Bar, but as a standalone device called Flexbar. It’s a 10 inch 2K OLED touchscreen for your desk, above your laptop keyboard, or resting next to your tablet that gives you quick access to your most used buttons and functions.
While the MacBook Pro Touch Bar may not have been a fan favorite during its initial run, Eniac believes that the concept itself wasn’t inherently flawed. Rather, they say Apple just didn’t make the most of it. Eniac hopes to dedicate itself to the idea of being infinitely customizable, letting anyone create their own personalized macros for anything from Procreate brushes to a cooldown bar in Final Fantasy XIV.
Flexbar: Customizability at Your Fingertips
One of the biggest features of the Flexbar is the emphasis on customisation. Eniac has developed a software called FlexbarDesigner, which enables users to create their ideal functionalities, colors, and layouts for the MacBook Pro Touch Bar successor. But the level of personalisation this offers could be a major selling point for the device – the Flexbar can be configured to unique needs and tastes.
And the Flexbar comes equipped with haptic feedback and a magnetic stand to keep it upright, wherever it’s placed. Such attention to detail showcase Eniac’s dedication to build a product that does its job, all while also feeling good to use.
Potential Drawbacks and Concerns
While the Flexbar is very promising, there are a number of drawbacks we need to consider. Perhaps most worrying of all, the device seems to tie the computer it’s used on to it with a wired connection. Of the videos and images released by Eniac, all (unless otherwise noted) show the Flexbar connected with a USB-C adapter, never over Bluetooth. It may be a deal breaker for many users who have got useds to the convenience of wireless peripherals.
It’s also other first product and Eniac’s first ever Kickstarter project. Just as with any crowdfunded venture, there is always the risk the product won’t actually ship. Eniac told us that it is sourcing its OLED screen via “standard supply channels,” but the size of the display could mean it is not as common as the company suggests.
A Second Chance for the MacBook Pro Touch Bar
Despite these concerns, the revival of the MacBook Pro Touch Bar as a standalone device is an intriguing development. The designs show there is still interest for the concept and that with the right application it might prove successful in the market.
The Flexbar’s focus on customizability and functionality could be the key to unlocking the full potential of the MacBook Pro Touch Bar concept. Eniac is pulling from the itch to create a more tailored and efficient experience by giving users the ability to create their own personalized setups.
The Future of the Flexbar
It will be interesting to follow the project as the Flexbar rolls through the Kickstarter process. Will Eniac be able to deliver on their promises and bring the MacBook Pro Touch Bar back to life in a meaningful way? Only time will tell.
For those interested in seeing how the Flexbar works and would like to try it out, Eniac has kindly made the FlexbarDesigner software available for download. The beauty of customizing your own aesthetic device is that prospective users can feel how it works and the types of customization options available.
As we eagerly await the fate of the MacBook Pro Touch Bar’s standalone reincarnation, one thing is certain: The Touch Bar and its place within the ecosystem of computer peripherals has been reignited with the Flexbar. To say whether it succeeds or not, Flexbar has already given us something to think about, to reframe an old, tossed away feature into something more.
