The Cupertino-based tech giant Apple is looking into developing a notebook-like computing device composed of two connected iPads. Over the years, Apple has been advertising the iPad as the portable computing device of the future, and this seemingly became true when it introduced the Magic Keyboard. But it looks like the tech giant has more in mind about the iPads based on a recently discovered Apple document.
Future Apple Notebook-ish iPads?
Apple Insider discovered the latest Apple document bearing the details of the radical concept the company envisions for the iPad. The report revealed the patent titled 'Modular multiple display electronic device,' filed by the tech giant. The patent talks about a small and foldable device that connects both iPhones or iPads using a connector.
Based on the patent, this device would allow connectivity between both iOS or iPadOS devices. Through this connector, the seamless transfer of data between linked devices is possible, allowing them to function as a single powerful device. Additionally, the patent talks about different instances where the device could be used.
It mentions the use of an iPad or iPhone as a keyboard with a Touch Bar. The Apple patent explains that a hinge would serve as a support and would enable users to use the device at different angles. It would also offer support to different form factors like the iPad book style or notebook style.
Apple patents a future product that could potentially connect two iPads or iPhones as one workstation or notebook. The draft images show a Microsoft Neo-like form factor using 2 iPads as a book & another form factor w/one iPad as keyboard & other as https://t.co/atKsf79Kw1 pic.twitter.com/8gqsdTXiKz — Patent Profiler (@PatentProfiler) July 28, 2020
Other Details
Unfortunately, the patent does not mention if the device would work if the devices include an iPad and an iPhone. It does not explain if it is possible to use the other connected device as a keyboard. However, the patent bears images providing the idea of a notebook-like orientation with one device lying flat on the surface and the hinged connector linking the second mobile device upward in either landscape or portrait orientation.
This could offer a possible explanation of how the other device on the surface could serve as the keyboard for the device in landscape or portrait orientation. There are also suggestions that the connecting device could support book-style orientation. This is possible if it is attached on the longest edge of a couple of identically-sized devices running on the same OS.
It is worth mentioning that Microsoft previously unveiled a product called Neo. The product features a couple of displays on each side in a book-like form factor, which has a similar concept as the Apple patent. Interestingly, like all other patents, it does not guarantee that Apple would make the product available to the market.
