The iPad’s Smart Cover Could Someday Be A Second Display

The iPad’s Smart Cover Could Someday Be A Second Display


Apple is trying to patent a Smart Cover for the iPad that has an embedded secondary display. Or in other words: eat it, Surface.

The cover would use a connector on the side of the iPad that would supply data and power to the cover. Here’s Apple’s description from the application:

[The] accessory device comprising: a flexible flap having a size and shape in accordance with the host device display, wherein at least a portion of the flexible flap is covered by a flap display configured to present visual information; and a connecting portion, the connecting portion arranged to provide at least a communication channel arranged to convey information between the host device and the accessory device wherein at least some of the information is presented visually on the flap display.

It looks pretty cool. But applying for a patent doesn’t necessarily mean we’re going to see this, or that Apple even has the technology to pull this off. For now, it should put Microsoft and its Surface keyboard covers on notice. [USPTO via Engadget]








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