Apple may have said goodbye to the MacBook Pro’s Touch Bar last year, but a team of four engineers believes the concept deserves a second chance. They’ve created the Flexbar, which is essentially a standalone version of the MBP’s thin touchscreen display that can be used with multiple devices and platforms through a USB connection.
The Flexbar’s creators have started a new company, Eniac, which is attempting to bring the accessory to consumers through a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign. The earliest backers can preorder one discounted to $119 from the full MSRP of $179, with delivery expected as early as February 2025.
This is the company’s first product, however, and while they have demonstrated functional hardware in several videos, there’s still an element of risk when backing it. The company told The Verge it was sourcing “components through standard supply channels,” but didn’t confirm where the Flexbar’s uniquely-sized 10-inch 2K OLED screen was coming from. Ideally it’s not repurposing Apple’s Touch Bar screens, which have a limited supply stock.
Screenshot: YouTube
