Today the US Patent & Trademark Office published a granted patent issued to Apple that relates to a customizable trackpad that Apple refers to as a "Dynamic Input Surface." Today we learn that in one version of this next-gen feature, the trackpad could be an OLED display. Such a new design is more likely to occur with the new 'Apple Silicon' where Apple is better able to control and deliver next-gen features such as the one covered today.

As an overview, Apple notes that Increasing the size of the dynamic input surface allows a user more space for scrolling gestures, which may eliminate the need of a user having to lift their fingers from the input surface to continue scrolling.

Additionally, changing the position or shape of the dynamic input surface allows a user to move dynamic input surface to a preferred side of the casing for easier or more comfortable use of the dynamic input surface and/or to move the dynamic input surface to a side when the dynamic input surface is not being utilized by a user interacting with the electronic device. The dynamic input surface may function as a track pad, for example, or other input device.

Apple's patent FIG. 4 below illustrates a bottom view of a portion of a MacBook including a possible future dynamic input surface, a haptic feedback module, a touch detection module and a touch frequency module.

For more details, review Apple's granted patent 10,983,650. Note that our cover graphic illustrates FIGS. 6B and 6C wherein a user will be able to perform distinct touch gestures to adjust the size of the trackpad input area.