Apple introduces new Magic Keyboard

Probably not getting top billing from Apple anymore, the Macs now play second fiddle to the iDevices.  Never the less, Apple continues to move forward in this space, albeit with less fanfare now....  In any case, today, Apple announced a new Magic Keyboard with integrated battery and uses Lightning cables for pairing and charging.

Now, I am far more interested in the key switch mechanism.  According to many sites, it is reported that Apple returned to the scissor switch mechanism rather than using the new butterfly type developed for the new laptops.  It's interesting to say the least that Apple went back to a scissor switch rather than using the butterfly design.  As usual, there are some improvements such as key stability over the previous generation, but nothing too surprising.  Granted, both are basically the same operationally, except the support structure mechanism, but still something a little unexpected.  Perhaps the butterfly switch is more expansive to make or has deficiencies in some way for desktop use cases.  Then again, there's no need to use butterfly switch if keyboard switch height is not a concern.  Maybe the board was already designed while the butterfly switch was still in development.   Apple is well known for running parallel internal design competitions.  Maybe, just maybe the scissor group won this round.  No one outside of Apple knows at this point.  It's likely they will never disclose the reason behind the decision.....  So, we are all left guessing.  Fun to speculate, but the proof is in the finished product.  Let's see how the users' reactions are after a while.

Apple has always marched to its own drum beat and its keyboard layout is no different in that regard.  This is an expanded version of Apple's laptop keyboard layout with full size keys.  Rumor had it that Steve Jobs hated function keys and wanted them removed.  So, the function keys size has atrophied and had shrunken to take less space.  Now, they are back to full size.....  The layout itself is not quite 60%, since it retains the function key row, but the navigation key cluster is missing and the arrow keys tucked under the shift key.  The up and down arrow keys are vastly smaller, sharing the same vertical space as a full size left or right arrow key.  So, somewhere between TKL (87 keys ANSI layout) and 60%.  How's 75%?  70% Maybe?  Since Apple does not use ANSI keyboard layout to begin with, the the comparison is moot anyway, but just for fun, I guess.

Also, because of the new integrated battery setup, there's no longer a need for that cylinder thing on the top side.  No more replaceable batteries.  So, the new shape is a wedge like to give the keyboard a bit of a tilt.  There's no option to change the angle that I can see tho.  So, stacks of post-it will do the trick I suppose.  The Lightning port is in the middle so I am assuming that one can charge the keyboard while in use.

Apple also announced a new mouse and a track pad.  Overall it's been an interesting announcement day for Apple peripherals.  From the look of it, Apple is trying to unify the desktop experience along with their laptop one....