Apple plans extended iPad display through 'Smart Covers'
Peripheral vision
Apple envisions iPad cases with flexible displays that expand functionality into the tablet's protective sleeve, recently publicised patent applications reveal.
The suggested Smart Cover, which draws power and data from a connector on one side of the slate, could be used to display a media control interface, or extend the main display with additional icons.
Alternatively, the entire inner panel could be transformed into a Microsoft Surface-like keyboard, or used as a graphics tablet panel.
The Smart Cover patent application was filed in August 2011 and only saw the light of day this week after being made public by the USPTO.
Unfortunately, there's no way of knowing if Apple's designs will become reality as yet - or even if it'll be awarded the patents it has requested - so while we'll keep our fingers crossed for an impending craze of Smart Covers, we won't stockpile the sterling for one just yet. ®
COMMENTS
Re: What will Apple patent next?
Nah, Adobe already patented Air.
Re: That's a Nintendo DS!
Absolutely, apart from the fact The Transformer is a screen with a detachable keyboard and the diagram is a screen with another detachable screen. Maybe you should read the words and not just look at the pictures?
Re: They'll be in court
Absolutely, you can even detach the screen on the DS...
If you have a hammer and a chisel that is.
Just imagine the accessory potential
If this ever makes it to a product, I predict there will be a ready market for screen protector protectors.
Sony's smart watch acts as a remote control to an Android phone via bluetooth. This is one example of prior art of a separate device which augments the main display. It's not the only one of course by a long stretch.
I don't see anything novel about putting the display into a cover. More importantly I don't see much point either.
