Saturday, October 12, 2024
Archived Post

Patent report: Apple accessory device could turn an iPhone or iPad into a laptop

I could go for this: Apple has filed for a patent (number 2017003048) dubbed “electronic accessory device” that would turn an iPhone or iPad into a full-fledged laptop. It involves systems and methods for “providing internal components for portable computing devices having a thin profile.”

More particularly, the present application describes an electronic accessory device available “to extend and expand usefulness of a portable computing device.” The accessory device — which has a niche into which an iOS device can be inserted — can have a form factor corresponding to a laptop, sporting data output resources such as a visual display and input resources. 

It can also include memory resources, which — if the invention ever materialized — would help overcome the storage options in iPhones and iPads. The accessory device would also offer additional functionality, such as a large display, enhanced audio capabilities, and input means such as a mouse, track pad and keyboard. However, unlike current Mac laptops, the accessory device would have a touchscreen.

Of course, Apple files for — and is granted — lots of patents by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office. Many are for inventions that never see the light of day. However, you never can tell which ones will materialize in a real product.

Dennis Sellers
the authorDennis Sellers
Dennis Sellers is the editor/publisher of Apple World Today. He’s been an “Apple journalist” since 1995 (starting with the first big Apple news site, MacCentral). He loves to read, run, play sports, and watch movies.