Apple has repeatedly denied any plans to merge the Mac and iPad into one gadget. Nonetheless, a newly granted patent (quantity US 11709527 B2) for “modularizing computing and enter gadget” exhibits the corporate is no less than investigating such a tool.
In regards to the patent
The patent entails modularized computing gadgets having removably connected parts. In it Apple notes that latest advances in computing gadgets have supplied for the miniaturization or discount in measurement of the parts, comparable to computing parts, used to energy and drive the gadgets, comparable to processors, batteries, reminiscence, and built-in circuits.
FIG. 1B exhibits a perspective view of a modularized computing gadget. FIG. 1C exhibits a perspective view of the computing gadget of FIG. 1B organized in one other configuration.
Because of this, computing gadgets having totally different form-factors have been adopted to offer environment friendly platforms for a specific use or in a specific setting. For instance, laptop computer and pill computing gadgets are generally used when mobility is desired, comparable to, studying information articles on a bus or a park bench. Alternatively, desktop computing gadgets are generally desired when a person needs a bigger show and/or a full-size keyboard.
Apple says that whereas computing gadgets have historically been constructed to suit the wants of a single specific use (e.g., sketching, digital and synthetic actuality purposes, studying social media, and so on.), reconfigurable computing gadgets “could be fascinating to offer a better high quality person expertise inside a broad spectrum of makes use of and environments.”
Abstract of the patent
Right here’s Apple’s summary of the patent: “A computing gadget could be reconfigurable to incorporate a number of electrical gadgets in varied configurations. The computing gadget can embrace a base forming an enter floor configured to obtain person enter. The bottom can obtain a number of enter gadgets, comparable to, shows or keyboards. The bottom can embrace a hinge rotatably connected to the bottom and configured to removably retain an digital gadget, comparable to, a show. The computing gadget can embrace a coupling mechanism having a primary retaining portion and a second retaining portion rotatably coupled to an intermediate portion. The primary and second retaining parts could be configured to removably retain electrical gadgets to the coupling mechanism.”
