Apple has always marketed the iPad as a laptop alternative, as most iPads always had the slogan “your next computer is not a computer”. However, even as the latest iPads feature Apple’s shiniest Apple M1 silicon, many users still opt for the Macbook as their daily driver for laptop-related needs, because of one vital difference: the Macbooks run on macOS and the iPads run on iPadOS.
Nevertheless, the reality might change soon, as recent news indicate that Apple is currently researching bringing the macOS experience to its future iPads.
This news comes from the folks over at Patently Apple, as the team had discovered on the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office database that Apple was recently awarded a detachable laptop-like iPad experience, running on a macOS-like experience.
Let’s start off with the form factor, the iPad shown off the patent is a tablet and has a hinged keyboard accessory(which does not look like the Magic Keyboard) that allows the tablet to be seamlessly mounted onto the keyboard via a specialised coupling mechanism. The keyboard also works as a case that protects the iPad screen from external conditions, similar to what you will find on a laptop.
Next is the software experience, according to the patent illustrations, the iPad will feature a macOS-like user interface to elevate the user experience with the keyboard. However, will this affect your current iPadOS experience as an Apple user? The patent also addresses that problem as well, as it seems that the macOS-like user interface is available when mounted to the keyboard and that your conventional current iPadOS user interface is also available when not mounted to the keyboard.
Another additional detail the patent reveals is also that the Apple Pencil can now be housed within the hinge that mounts the iPad to the keyboard. The port connection interface like USB-C will also be installed onto the hinge.
As for the camera, projectors, light and microphone, the patent reveals that Apple is going with a rather odd approach as these features are seen as additional accessories instead, which are then mounted onto the hinge if needed, and dismounted when not.
Since the patents have been approved, Apple could start the testing and prototype phases of this technology soon. And hopefully, within the next few years, we can finally witness the ultimate merger between Macbook and iPad for all the professionals who are always on the go.
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(Via)
