Crafted by developers Andreas Verhoeven and Robbert Klarenbeek, a new proof-of-concept app allows you to play with the MacBook Pro’s new Touch Bar via your iPad or on your Mac’s screen. What the demo app does is render the Touch Bar interface on an iPad or your computer’s screen that you can use to control apps and features on your Mac.
Just like the original Touch Bar, it changes dynamically based on the app you’re currently using. Grab the app from GitHub to try out the Touch Bar on any Mac that does not have a physical Touch Bar.
The iPad app communicates with your Mac over USB connection. You will also need macOS Sierra 10.12.1 build 16B2657, which adds support for the Touch Bar to macOS.
According to developers:
Touch Bar Demo App allows you to use your macOS Touch Bar from an iPad (through USB connection) or on-screen by pressing the Fn-key. It shows the original Apple Touch Bar, which changes dynamically based on the app you’re currently using.
And here it is in action.
If you’d like to try it out, you’ll need to download the source files from the source GitHub link shown below, build the project in Xcode and sideload the binary on your iPad.
The full instructions are on the project’s GitHub page.
My colleague Anthony has a full step-by-step tutorial for those who find the instructions on GitHub too confusing.