New iPads are great , but longtime Apple users have always wanted to see a touchscreen Mac , something along the lines of theMicrosoft Surface . report of such a equipment by Apple have scantily come on ( pun intended ) in late days , but a new patent of invention offers some Leslie Townes Hope that it may still one day arrive .

Apple was recently granted a patent by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office that covers exactly this . Patent11,320,869is titled , “ Hinged keyboard add-on own multiple initiation modes for a tablet calculation gadget ” and describes a tablet accessory that fits the description of a Magic Keyboard - like gimmick . The bulk of the patent explain how the accessory would exploit – how it bond / detaches to a tablet , how it can be folded , how a style can be used , and more .

The patent also includes illustrations of a tablet with a macOS - corresponding interface . The instance clearly show what is a macOS Finder , with a computer menu bar , menu saloon picture , Mac - comparable windows , and desktop icons .

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The patent describes a keyboard accessory that works with a tablet.

While the patent systematically refers to the accessory as one for a “ tablet , ” no specific mention of “ iPad ” is made throughout the filing . With the illustrations in mind , it come along that Apple could be develop a Mac tablet with a touchscreen , and this appurtenance would work with it .

The patent of invention draw a keyboard accessory that works with a tablet .

This is n’t the first fourth dimension Apple has explored a Mac intercrossed machine . Back in July 2023 , Apple was granted a patent for“Modularized computing and input devices,”which describe a MacBook - like machine with obliterable components that can be interchanged with each other . For example , two show can be connect to put to work with one keyboard / trackpad . It ’s not clear if these two patents are along the same mathematical product line , but it ’s clear that Apple is look for ways to acquire Mac hardware .

apple patent accessory tablet

The patent describes a keyboard accessory that works with a tablet.

It ’s crucial to remark that Apple ( like every other party ) files patent all the time for devices that never in reality get released to the general public . If these product are approved for production , it will take long time before they reach out the market .