Flexbar Review: The Next Generation of Customizable Productivity Tools?
The Flexbar, a stylish OLED productivity device crafted by Eniac, is generating excitement as a possible alternative to Apple’s now-obsolete Touch Bar. It fills the space between the capabilities of Apple’s groundbreaking yet divisive Touch Bar and well-liked productivity devices such as the Stream Deck. Offering a distinctive perspective on customizable shortcuts and macros for Mac users, the question arises: does it meet expectations? Let’s explore the intricacies.
What is the Flexbar?
The Flexbar is a slim, touch-responsive OLED screen engineered to replicate and enhance the functionalities of Apple’s Touch Bar. Its primary goal is to boost productivity by granting Mac users immediate access to custom buttons, sliders, and controls, all encased in an elegant aluminum alloy shell. Positioned just above the keyboard, the Flexbar provides a highly adaptable platform for shortcuts, macros, and even real-time system data.
Although it shows potential as an impactful productivity solution, the Flexbar is still in its infancy, and like many crowdfunded initiatives, it has areas in need of refinement. Let’s examine its main features, design, software, and practical applications.
Design and Build Quality: Sleek and Apple-Inspired Look
The Flexbar showcases a high-quality design meant to integrate flawlessly with Apple devices.
- Dimensions: Spanning 10.8 inches in length, 0.6 inches in width, and 0.3 inches in thickness, the Flexbar is compact and easily portable. Its length is comparable to a Magic Keyboard, making it suitable for both desktop and laptop configurations.
- Display: Featuring a 2K AMOLED display (2,170 x 60 pixels), it is vibrant, responsive to touch, and sufficiently spacious to smoothly showcase tappable buttons and controls.
- Weight: At just 71.7 grams (2.5 ounces), the Flexbar is incredibly lightweight—almost excessively so, as it may slide on your desk during use without appropriate stabilization.
Practical Design Features
The Flexbar incorporates two non-display zones at the ends, which can function as back buttons or reveal a small interface drawer. Additionally, a magnetic wedge-shaped stand is included, angling the display towards the user for improved visibility. However, this stand elevates the Flexbar, which may render it less accessible when paired with a MacBook Pro.
Connectivity: Wired Connection Only
The Flexbar connects to your Mac using a USB-C cable, which serves both power and data transfer purposes. While this guarantees dependable performance, it may not suit users who favor wireless arrangements. Implementing wireless capability would likely necessitate a thicker design, which the Flexbar currently avoids.
Interestingly, the USB-C port can be positioned on either the left or right side of the display, providing some flexibility based on your workspace arrangement.
Software: Flexbar Designer
The real strength of the Flexbar resides in its dedicated software, Flexbar Designer. This application enables users to construct tailored layouts of buttons, sliders, and data displays to suit their individual requirements. Here’s what Flexbar Designer offers:
- Custom Buttons: Create shortcuts for actions like inserting code, managing media playback, or modifying system settings.
- Interactive Sliders: Utilize sliders for finely tuning tasks such as volume adjustments or screen brightness.
- Live Metrics: Present live data, including CPU usage or RAM consumption, directly on the bar.
- Nested Pages: Organize buttons into hierarchical groups, with as many as 14 levels, for efficient access to various apps or workflows.
- App-Specific Pages: Automatically transition to pre-set layouts when certain apps are currently in use.
Software Limitations
Despite its high degree of customization, Flexbar Designer presents a steep learning curve that may overwhelm average users. Moreover, the software does not provide pre-made templates for popular applications, potentially complicating the initial setup for newcomers.
Future Enhancements: Plug-Ins and Marketplace
Eniac has grand aspirations for the Flexbar’s ecosystem, including:
- Plug-In System: An upcoming API will allow developers to create app-specific Flexbar functionalities, enabling deeper integration and enhanced capabilities.
- Plug-In Marketplace: This platform will facilitate users in downloading and installing app-specific layouts and controls, removing the need for manual setup. Both features are projected to launch in Q2 2025.
These enhancements could greatly improve the Flexbar’s usability and attractiveness, although they remain under development.
Real-World Usage: A Mixed Experience
The Flexbar excels in particular contexts, especially for users who are experienced with tools like the Stream Deck. Its vibrant display, haptic feedback, and sensitive touch controls contribute to a satisfying user experience. Nonetheless, its lightweight nature and dependence on a wired connection can limit practicality for certain users.
Limitations Compared to Apple’s Touch Bar
Although the Flexbar replicates many capabilities of Apple’s Touch Bar, it is devoid of some of Apple’s exclusive features, such as predictive text suggestions. These functionalities might be introduced through future plug-ins, but they are currently unavailable.
Crowdfunding Considerations
As a Kickstarter initiative, the Flexbar carries inherent risks. Even though it has already exceeded its funding target, there’s always a chance of delays or adjustments to the final product. Early supporters can acquire the Flexbar at a discounted price of $149, compared to its suggested retail price of $179.
Conclusion
The Flexbar signifies an exciting advancement in customizable productivity devices for Mac users. Its elegant design, vivid AMOLED display, and adaptable software make it an appealing choice for those wishing to optimize their workflows. However, the initial software complexity and absence of wireless capabilities may deter less tech-savvy users for the time being.
With forthcoming updates such as a plug-in system and marketplace, the Flexbar holds potential to evolve into an essential accessory. However, until these features are fully developed, it remains a specialized product for users willing to dedicate time to setup and personalization.
Rating: 3/5
FAQs About the Flexbar
1. Can the Flexbar substitute for the Touch Bar on my MacBook Pro?
The Flexbar is not a straightforward replacement for Apple’s Touch Bar but delivers similar capabilities alongside greater customizability. However, it lacks Apple’s proprietary features like predictive text.
2. Is the Flexbar wireless?
No, the Flexbar connects to your Mac with a USB-C cable. Although this ensures reliability, it may not attract users who prefer wireless devices.
3. How customizable is the Flexbar?
The Flexbar offers extensive customization through the Flexbar Designer app. Users can develop buttons, sliders, and live metrics displays, as well as organize layouts into nested pages or app-specific arrangements.
4. Who is the Flexbar ideally suited for?
The Flexbar is perfect for power users, content creators, and developers who depend on shortcuts and macros. Casual users may find the initial configuration daunting.
5. What are the primary competitors of the Flexbar?
The main competitor is the Stream Deck, which provides similar functionalities in a grid-format layout.
6. Does the Flexbar accommodate app-specific layouts?
Yes, you can configure the Flexbar to automatically showcase specific layouts when certain apps are highlighted, allowing for high adaptability to varying workflows.
7. Where can I purchase the Flexbar?
The Flexbar is currently available for pre-order on Kickstarter, with early backer pricing starting at $149. The campaign concludes on January 2, 2025.
