Apple’s new iMac keyboards have done away with the Apple key (or “Open Apple Key”) in what seems to presage the fate of all Apple keys on Mac keyboards. Although a few days have passed, we wouldn’t feel right without observing a moment of silence:
See Apple’s new keyboards, sans Apple logo on the Command Key, here.
MacDailyNews Note: We still hold a special place in our hearts for the “Closed Apple Key.”
Removing the Apple from the Command key makes sense from Apple’s perspective, as it would only help further ease the minds of nervous potential switchers – “Uhh, what’s that ‘weird” key?” You can bet they hear that in the Apple Retails Stores pretty often. (The new key still has the “splat” on it (thankfully), but adds the word “command.”) Still, we wish that Apple would to give us Mac users an optional key with the Apple on it!
The very first Macs, by the way, didn’t have an “Apple” on the Command key. Macs began featuring the Apple logo on the key in 1986.
Two a Day explains “Why the Apple/Command Key Finally Lost Its Apple” here.
Well it’s still on my MBP, and as my son is using a TiBook that is in its 7th year that Apple logo will still be around when Microsoft slips below the waves…
How can we cut, copy and paste now? No more Apple+X, Apple+C, Apple+V…
I can’t use my computer anymore… :((((
I’m not happy about this.
Don’t miss it. The Apple logo should have been removed years ago, served no useful purpose, created confusion, and I believe it also cheapened the Apple logo.
The inclusion of the word “command” on the key is also welcome.
I think they should have put the “option” symbol on the Option key, and same for Shift (since they use symbols rather than words in the menus).
@coolfactor:
There’s not enough tactile feedback to identify whether or not your fingers are squarely on the keys. Because the key surfaces are flat, I find my fingers tend to slide off more easily. On keyboards with concave-surfaced keys, your fingers tend to migrate to the center of the key just by feel. The keyboard redesign feels more like it was done for style at the expense of function. I’ll probably get used to it, but I’m hanging onto my old keyboard just in case. Definitely not a dealbreaker either way.
about time.
command is better.
They should put the shift, control, alt, etc. symbols on the keys as well to better help with hot keys. As a switcher it is a bit confusing looking at the hotkey buttons in the pull down menu.
wtf…
So I can post on Windows and IE but when I use Safari I get this…
The following errors were encountered
We apologize. We cannot accept your comment at this time.
Return to Previous Page
Spudley’s right. Newbs, all of you! The original 128k Mac only had a a cloverleaf on its single command key! Nary an Apple in sight. Proof? OK:
And the Apple II line didn’t have “apple” keys either until the //c and late-rev Apple //e came out.
I’ve always hated that Apple on the key, and thought it was confusing. It shoulda just been called the Command key, with just a cloverleaf symbol on it. Although, the new keyboard with both “Command” and the cloverleaf on the key is still better.
So, good-bye, and good riddance, Apple Key!
It’s just a freaking key. GET OVER IT.
I am sitting here and staring at my apple key. When the f*&# did I find out it was command? It doesn’t even say what the hell it is!!!
It’s the dreaded windows start key for you bootcampers.
friz-b
Added in 1986? That explains everything! It was added AFTER Steve left Apple. The Apple key’s days on the Mac were numbered from the day Steve returned. I’m surprised it took this long.
All kidding aside, it does make since from a Windows switcher point of view.
er, make that sense.
I’m turned on (and off) waiting for a binary keyboard.
Sorry Nic but my Apple //e Enhanced also had “open” and “closed” Apple keys. And Spudly, the Apple logo was probably added to the key to pacify those of us in the Apple ][ Forever camp, if you want to us “newbs” thats your prerogative. My peers used the term “open-apple” “closed-apple” instead of “command”. The “open” apple key was program function key strokes (i.e. commands), the “closed” apple key was system related. Ah, the good old days.
open-apple Q
Buy a UK keyboard – the Apple key ia alive and well and on the new aluminium keyboard at the Apple Store, Meadowhall, Sheffield:-)
What next firewire?
control, open apple, reset… forevah.
Oh yeah TMF? I’m 1 and 0 waiting for the glass top keyboard. Imagine, a software driven keyboard that can change functions depending on the application. Like the iPhone, except bigger. Who needs tactile response anymore? That would beat the hell out of a touch screen…
I think this goes too far. Most of my keyboards are third-party deals, so I’m not crushed, just a bit disappointed. Someone will make money in the apple keyboard decal business, though.
Forever
Ah yes, another nail in the coffin for the beleaguered Apple Co. Don’t believe the marketing hype. This will make it easier for Mr. Steve Jobs to finally do what he’s wanted to do all along, run the superior Vista platform on his brand new Macs. Alas, the end is nigh for Mac OSX. This is merely the first step.
I never got calling the Command key the Apple key.
But, WHERE does the Command key symbol come from?
Why not get rid of THAT and keep the Apple?
I knew some people who called the Command Key… get this… the CHIGGER Key! Yeah, WTF? I guess they thought it looked like a tick or… a chigger.
MDN Magic Word: THINGS will never be the same!
I’d buy a decal. I’ll never give up on the Apple key…never
I always hated that apple key. It doesn’t make sense… when you have some people calling it command and some calling it Open Apple.
It was retarded and confusing, something that Apple generally isn’t.
“And the Apple II line didn’t have ‘apple’ keys either until the //c and late-rev Apple //e came out.”
…and the IIgs, which is where it came from.
Essentially, Apple wanted to be able to use ADB on both it’s Macintosh and Apple II lines. Of course, the problem was that the Apple II had this “Apple” key (with the Apple logo) while Macintosh just had a “Command” key. So the solution was to put both on the key so that Apple II users and Macintosh users would be able to find the appropriate key depending on what they saw on the screen.
Why was it kept? Mostly because it was easier to explain to people that the “command key” was the one with the little Apple on it (versus the “cloverleaf”).
By the way, the “command key” can also be found on signs in Sweden–it denotes a “place of interest.”