Apple Could Put a Flexible Display on the Next iPad Smart Cover

If a year-old patent application (made public today by the USPTO) is any indication, Apple's designers think they can put a flexible, touch capacitive display on the next iPad Smart Cover.

The highlight of the all-fine-print legalese document is this early quotation:

"The accessory device includes the following: a flexible flap having a size and shape in accordance with the host device display, where 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 where at least some of the information is presented visually on the flap display."

No worries if that's Greek to you; just check out the pictures. In fact, the gist of the whole document is that the attached drawings actually represent the product Apple hopes to patent pretty well. The cover's razor-thin display is shown as a touchpad keyboard, extra space for dock icons, an off-screen media-control interface, and even a stylus-compatible drawing pad. And, of course, it will still fold up to stand your iPad at various angles.

Interestingly enough, it looks like Apple's Smart Cover might have beaten Microsoft's Touch Cover to the keyboard-cover-combo punch. It will be interesting to see if this ends in a patent dispute.

The current version of the Smart Cover was released with the iPad 2 to mixed reviews. Its minimal design, which offered relatively little protection, was the focus of the cover's advocates and critics both. The cover depicted here would basically preserve that same design, attaching magnetically to the side of the tablet. "Thin flexible display technology can be integrated into the flexible cover without affecting the overall form factor of the cover," the application explains.

The upgrade looks like it will rely on a future model of the iPad having a side-dock in between the cover's magnetic contact points, serving as a "communication channel" between the Smart Cover and the tablet. Apple hasn't released any info about when (or even whether) such a product might see the light of day - let alone what it would cost.

It seems safe to assume it would be an optional accessory: even as Apple asserts that "adding the integrated display to the flexible cover greatly enhances the overall functionality of the tablet device," none of the features shown here appear essential - just awesome.

Jon Fox is a Seattle hipster who loves polar bears and climbing trees. You can follow him on Twitter and IGN. 

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Microsoft Reveals Wedge and Sculpt Touch Peripherals

Not to be outdone by Apple's gesture-command Magic Mouse, Microsoft launched the Touch Mouse for Windows 7 last year, allowing for four-way finger swiping for simple commands like switching applications and minimizing open tasks.

With the upcoming release of Windows 8 and the Microsoft Surface tablet, the Redmond-based software developer (recently turned computer manufacturer) will be updating its touch suite with the Wedge Touch Mouse and Mobile Keyboard and the Sculpt Touch Mouse and Mobile Keyboard, two peripherals designed with Metro in mind.

For those who have already sprung for the Windows 7 Touch Mouse, Microsoft will be updating the driver to include new Windows 8-specific gesture controls. Those looking to pick up all new hardware will have to choose between the pragmatist's Wedge model and the artist's Sculpt model.

The Wedge Touch Mouse ($69.95) is small, running on only a single double-A battery and, according to Microsoft, compact enough to fit in your pocket. The minimalist aesthetic is designed to highlight the four-way touch controls, which in addition to scrolling or snapping items to the left or right of the screen, will be able to open up the Windows 8 charm menu and zoom. The thumb swipe will still move forward and backward through open apps.

The Wedge Mobile Keyboard ($79.95), like its mouse counterpart, will connect via Bluetooth and feature battery-saving sleep modes when not in use. The pitch here is that this keyboard will have some Windows 8 shortcut hotkeys for navigating Metro and settings menus. It also comes with a case that puts the keyboard to sleep and doubles as a stand for a tablet.

The Sculpt Touch Mouse ($49.95) has a more traditional mouse design but it still supports four-way gesture controls. It's larger than the Wedge Touch Mouse, aimed more towards the desktop user crowd.

The Sculpt Mobile Keyboard ($49.95) is curved in at the back, giving the face of the keys an ergonomic feel without committing fully to that framework. According to Microsoft, the battery life for this model is ten months in active use.

All of these devices will be available on or around the Windows 8 release date of October 26.

Source: PCWorld

Dan Crabtree is an I.T. guy and freelance writer with words on IGN, and a league of other gaming news outlets. His dog is considered handsome and well-read. You can find him (the human) on Twitter and IGN.

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