In 2022, Apple filed for three distinct patents that represent a single iPad accessory device project. Clearly Apple s engineers are working on variants of the device that Apple executives could then choose from for a final product. There are some really nice features on the drawing board and we can only hope that Apple can bring such a next-gen accessory to market for iPad that could shake things up in the next few years.
In February, Patently Apple posted an IP report titled "Apple Files for a Patent covering a Hinged Keyboard Accessory for iPad that provides a Notebook Feel with Superior Flexibility." Today Apple was granted a patent that supports that February patent though with a new twist.
Today the US Patent & Trademark Office published three patent applications from Apple that relate to the MacBook camera notch, a new MacBook concept and a hybrid iPad-keyboard form factor.