Apple ramps up MacBook infused with touch controls

Published October 28, 2016
A guest looks at the Touch Bar on a MacBook computer shown in a demo room following the announcement of new products at Apple headquarters. ─AP
A guest looks at the Touch Bar on a MacBook computer shown in a demo room following the announcement of new products at Apple headquarters. ─AP
Apple CEO Tim Cook views the new MacBook Pro in the demo room. ─Reuters
Apple CEO Tim Cook views the new MacBook Pro in the demo room. ─Reuters
Apple CEO Tim Cook waves at the end of an Apple media event in Cupertino. ─Reuters
Apple CEO Tim Cook waves at the end of an Apple media event in Cupertino. ─Reuters

Apple on Thursday unveiled new MacBook Pro laptops infused with touch control features that people have become popular on smartphones.

MacBook Pro models shown off at a special event at Apple's headquarters in Silicon Valley touted keyboards that had “Touch Bar” controls where function keys have traditionally been positioned.

Touch car adapts to display controls most relevant to whatever application is being used, from email or typing text to video editing or music mixing, demonstrations showed.

New MacBook Pro models with 13-inch and 15-inch screens also had “Touch ID” fingerprint reading sensors built into power buttons, meaning that people will be able to unlock machines or make online purchases using fingers to confirm their identity.

Apple senior vice president of worldwide marketing Phil Schiller referred to new MacBook Pro models as the “gold standard” in notebook computers.

A MacBook Pro with a 13-inch screen and touch bar had a starting price of $1,799, while an upgraded model with the same screen size but a traditional keyboard was priced at $1,499.

A 15-inch MacBook Pro with the touch control technology built in had a starting price of $2,399.

Apple began taking orders on Thursday, with touch-enhanced models promised to begin shipping within three weeks and the standard keyboard version available immediately.

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