[newaccount74]

I think Apple prepares for a lot of eventualities internally and only some things end up being released. Eg. they built macOS X on Intel years before they announced the switch.

It's quite possible someone is working on making macOS touch-screen capable, even when they don't have concrete plans for releasing a touch screen Mac.

[tambourine_man]

That’s my guess as well.

Lots of hints on touch enabled UI in Big Sur. But whatever it was, seems to have been delayed or suspended.

[eyelidlessness]

> they built macOS X on Intel years before they announced the switch.

Not a correction, just adding context: Mac OS X always had Intel builds, even before release. It would be surprising to me if they don’t still maintain Intel macOS builds just in case.

[memetomancer]

Apple will have to support Intel Macs until at least 2026? 2027? Beyond?

...so I would assume there is plenty of maintenance being done on x86 macOS.

[hirvi74]

I've read articles about Apple patenting various technologies that would facilitate such a device, but obviously past patents != future plans.