A few hours ago, Apple announced a highly overdue update to its MacBook Pro lineup. As expected, these new laptops include a new feature called Touch Bar. It is a multi-touch pad that replaces the function keys at the top of the keyboard for a wide variety of controls. These controls vary depending on the app you’re in, so it can be anything from buttons to adjusting system settings to sliders for arranging music and photos.
The Touch Bar is a really clever idea and the possibilities are endless. Developers can even use the Touch Bar API to integrate it with macOS apps. In fact, Apple has given some early previews of what the developers have achieved so far.
But instead of reading about everything the Touch Bar can do, why not see for yourself? Here are the best animated GIFs from Apple’s keynote showcasing tons of new features.
1. Old School
Before you get too creative, remember that the keys that precede the Touch Bar itself can do anything. This includes adjusting your volume, brightness, playback, and more.
2. Get QuickType Suggestions
Craig Federighi apparently often writes “I’m totally nervous” as he pops up in QuickType suggestions. This is not strange at all.
3. Emojis Finally at Your Fingertips
I rarely use emojis because I think it’s ridiculous to have to pause typing or go to the screen to find one to change the keyboard. It’s a grueling and time-consuming process. That seems a bit relieved, thanks to emojis that are now at my fingertips.
4. Navigate Between Your Bookmarks and Tabs
While in Safari, your bookmarks and tabs will appear in color in the Touch Bar (and hopefully work in other browsers eventually too). This probably won’t work very well if you don’t have favorites in your bookmarks though.
5. Pay with Touch ID
The MacBook Pro finally has a fingerprint sensor for Touch ID. You can shop online with your fingerprint and use it to unlock your Mac.
6. Brush Between Photos
You can see quick actions like Favorite and Rotation in the Photos app. Also, scroll through your photos by quickly scrolling through the thumbnails in the Touch Bar.
7. Edit Your Photos
The Touch Bar lets you crop, rotate, auto-enhance, and more. Also, slider controls like those for cropping let you fine-tune your settings right from the keyboard.
8. Touch Bar is Surprisingly Customizable
Apple isn’t usually a fan of customizability in software, but it’s giving the Touch Bar a break. You can drag, drop and rearrange different icons on your Touch Bar for various apps. It works similarly to customizing toolbars.
9. See Your Storyboard at a Glance
Final Cut Pro and iMovie provide quick access to your project storyboards. Swipe, select specific tracks and even make edits.
10. Edit Your Movies
Yes, you can use the Touch Bar to make edits from your keyboard. This is especially useful for performing common tasks that are often embedded in menus. One tap trims this audio clip.
11. Use the Touch Bar, Even in Photoshop
Isn’t it cute how Apple and Adobe play nice? Adobe showed how well the Touch Bar works with Photoshop very soon. Access general tools and make adjustments to your brush size like this.
12. Make Complex Edits in Photoshop
The Touch Bar slider for adjusting brush color in Photoshop is a real beauty. You can swipe to change the color and paint on the screen at the same time. This truly provides a new level of multitasking.
13. Become a DJ
DJ, who took the stage in the opening speech, showed off the talents of Touch Bar. You can be a DJ yourself, giving you quick access to effects, sliders and editing tools in GarageBand and more.
The new MacBook Pro can now be ordered in 13-inch and 15-inch configurations. They ship in a few weeks and start at $1799.
