Apple replaced ESC and Fxx keys with a touch display stripe, that will at first show these buttons but eventually replace them with notifications and etc. As Vim user and step-debuggers addict (Eclipse, Firebug, etc), I just realised that yes, they can be stupid enough to do worse than removing the headphone jack from the iPhone.

https://youtube.com/watch/...

The touhbar concept itself is.brilliant, but ffs, couldn't they just ADD it???

Shhht! It's a milestone!

@KeyWeeUsr turning over a new stone.

Here man don't worry too much, they've said if you don't want to use the interactive features you can either A. Get the version without the touch bar or B. Just set up the touch bar so that it's just a digital copy of the ESC and function keys permanently

@hidden Anyways, now they have the ESC key as hostage and can hide it from us programatically, which is creepy.

It is indeed a milestone. Soon they will replace the whole keyboard with touch and then we will program it as per our wish.

Courage.

I have a seen a year old lenovo that already have this bar. The only difference is that it still have a esc key

@JeniEm such a big ++ for that ^^

@JeniEm The problem is that Apple is a large source of inspiration and design ideas, and a lot of it, good and bad, have been adopted by other manufacturers. I REALLY hope that those two ideas – removal of phone jack and ESC key – don't spread, 'cause they really stink.

1) notifications are unlikely to ever appear there

2) it's highly unlikely that ESC will not appear in Terminal and similar (otherwise; customise it as you like)

3) they could add it instead, but they could also just add HDMI and keep DVI, but.. progress.. also every inch is important for a company that strives for tiny devices (sadly)

-- I'm by no means a fan of the Touch Bar (though I ordered the MBP that has it) but I see why they implemented it :)

Some users will love it.. Pro/dev users? Unlikely.. I dont bother looking at the keyboard.. shortcuts are faster than looking

@stormwise it really stank when the VHS disappeared too... what would people do with all their tapes? 😱 and flash.. how can we play games in the browser??

It's never easy to be a first mover when it comes to removing "loved" technology... but it's required for progress.

Lightning is not the goal for Apple.. they will replace it with USB-C soon, and ofc Bluetooth

@SithLord VHS and flash was replaced because something better came along: DVD and HTML5. In what ways are lightning better than the widely used 3,5 mm phone jack? What are the benefits and how does it improve my user experience? For me, it does not.

I don't mind progress, as long as I benefit from it, but neither of Apples new "features" are better than the ones they replace.

@SithLord that makes sense but a first move should be to add stuff, then to remove old ones as people absorb the new concept.

@stormwise as mentioned, Apple surely wants to go USB-C, but it's not easy to replace a input type.. also lightning is better than AUX :)

@paulera they're adding USB-C and focusing on Bluetooth :) that is adding stuff. Changing their iPads, iPods and iPhones to USB-C is not an over-night change, so it makes sense to use lightning as it's already on the devices, hence allowing for more space for other components (since they removed the jack)

USB-C is next, but wireless is the ultimate goal

@stormwise it allows for improved quality + reduces amount of different cable inputs.

It is not an innovation or turning point.
It is an old trick!