When Apple discontinued the 13-inch MacBook Pro, it marked the end of the line for the Touch Bar. Apple might by no means make the Contact Bar once more, however thankfully, the parents at Eniac have taken on the duty of making a substitute that it calls the Flexbar. The corporate is presently elevating funds on Kickstarter to finish the challenge.
The Flexbar is a protracted, slim OLED touchscreen management strip–you possibly can place it wherever, even on the prime of your keyboard like a Contact Bar. It connects to the Mac by means of USB and seems to work just like the Contact Bar did. However it may also be utilized in a vertical orientation if that fits your workflow, and it may possibly additionally hook up with iPads, iPhones, and Home windows PCs.
Flexbar gives extra customization than the Contact Bar ever did, and the corporate says it’ll provide API assist for builders. There’s additionally a Flexbar Designer app that permits customers to personalize the Flexbar’s controls and a Discord group the place you may get assist and ideas with tweaking the Flexbar.
It seems that Eniac has already exceeded its fundraising purpose, even with 29 days left, however you possibly can nonetheless make a pledge. Plans begin at $119/£94, which incorporates the Flexbar, an aluminum stand, and a 2-meter USB-C cable. The Kickstarter occasion ends on January 2, 2025.
