Apple has filed for a patent for “Mountable Tool Computer Input”whose images hint at Apple Pencil support on the Mac. Perhaps we’ll see this incorporated in the rumored “MacBook Ultra.”
About the ‘MacBook Ultra’
The rumored laptop is my most anticipated in-the-works product from Apple. The upcoming laptop — rumored to be called the “MacBook Ultra” — will be the first Mac laptop with an OLED display. That’s cool, but it’s anticipated to have even more groundbreaking features.
The rumor mill says it will be the first Mac with a touchscreen. It will almost certainly pack an M6 processor. And, if we’re lucky, it will have cellular connectivity, at least as an option.
The MacBook Ultra is anticipated to arrive in late 2026. However, some reports say it may not arrive until early 2027.
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman says the MacBook Ultra will be offered alongside 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros. He did offer the caveat that Apple “could keep the traditional MacBook Pro name,” but a MacBook Ultra moniker would “more clearly signal their position at the top of the lineup.”
The Elec says The report says Samsung could begin shipping OLED laptop panels through the supply chain as early as June. The panels are expected to be used in future 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models, with estimated supply volumes of around 2 million units this year.
About the patent filing
The patent filing relates generally to input device systems and, more particularly, to incorporating a stylus that’s removably mounted to a keyboard or similar input device. Apple notes that a variety of handheld input devices are used to detect user input.
For example, a stylus is often used to provide input by contacting a digitizer or touch-sensitive panel of an electronic device. The patent filing involves using a stylus (think Apple Pencil) on a laptop with a grove for storing the Pencil when it’s not being used.
Summary of the patent filing
Here’s Apple’s abstract of the patent filing: “Computing systems and input devices can include a chassis with a computing device and an input tool with a sensor, such as a pen- or rod-like input tool, that can be positioned relative to the chassis in multiple configurations. In one configuration, the tool can be spaced away from the chassis and its sensor output can cause a first output signal in response to input provided to the sensor.
“In another configuration, the tool can be contacting the chassis and its sensor output can cause a second output signal in response to input provided to the sensor. For example, an input tool can be stowed in a recess of a keyboard housing or device chassis, and the input tool can produce a first output when it is in the recess and a second input when it has been removed from the chassis.”
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