The Touch Bar on MacBook Pros wasn’t universally loved, but a new Kickstarter project aims to revive the concept with a standalone device. Meet the Flexbar, a 10-inch 2K OLED touchscreen designed to enhance your workflow, whether placed above your laptop keyboard, on your desk, or beside your tablet.
Reviving a Controversial Feature
Developed by startup Eniac, the Flexbar is a customizable touchscreen bar inspired by Apple’s discontinued Touch Bar. Eniac believes the Touch Bar concept wasn’t inherently flawed, just underutilized. The Flexbar’s key selling point is its extensive customizability, allowing users to create macros for everything from Procreate brushes to game cooldown timers.
Personalized Functionality with FlexbarDesigner
Flexbar being used with Final Fantasy 14.
Eniac provides dedicated software, FlexbarDesigner, to tailor the Flexbar’s functionalities, colors, and layouts to individual preferences. This software empowers users to create highly personalized setups, maximizing their workflow efficiency across various applications and tasks. The intuitive design of the software makes it easy to customize the Flexbar to suit your specific needs.
Haptic Feedback and Magnetic Stand
The Flexbar features haptic feedback and a magnetic stand for stable positioning. However, a notable drawback is the wired USB-C connection. While wireless Bluetooth connectivity is the norm for peripherals like mice and keyboards, the Flexbar currently lacks this feature, potentially deterring some users.
Kickstarter Risks and Uncertainties
It’s important to note that this is Eniac’s first Kickstarter project and product. Successful delivery isn’t guaranteed. While Eniac claims to be using “standard supply channels” for the OLED screen, the display’s unique size raises concerns about sourcing and potential production delays.
Exploring the Flexbar
Despite the potential challenges, the Flexbar offers an intriguing approach to customizable input devices. If you’re interested, visit the Kickstarter page and download the FlexbarDesigner software to explore its potential. The Kickstarter page provides further details on the project and allows you to support its development.
Conclusion: A Promising Concept with Potential Hurdles
The Flexbar presents a compelling vision for a customizable touchscreen input device. However, the wired connection and inherent risks of a first-time Kickstarter project warrant careful consideration. While the Flexbar offers significant potential benefits, potential backers should be aware of the challenges involved in bringing a new hardware product to market.
