Apple may include a stylus with a built-in camera in its 12.9-inch iPad Pro tablet, if rumors are true.
The iPad has been one of the most successful tablets on the market since the launch of the 9.7-inch version in 2010. Apple also introduced a 7.9-inch iPad mini that has also appealed to many tablet lovers. Speculations are rife that Apple has a bigger 12.9-inch tablet dubbed the iPad Pro in the works, but the existence of such a tablet has not been confirmed by the company.
None of the available iPads or iPhones come with an Apple-made stylus, but it may not be the case with the upcoming device. A patent filed by the iPad maker with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) suggests that the company may introduce a stylus in the iPad Pro.
The stylus patent application is not an ordinary stylus and includes an in-built camera, which will allow the stylus to detect surfaces over which it is passed and create textures for the user.
"Embodiments disclosed herein relate generally to styli that may include additional components for sensing, recording and transmitting an image of the texture of a surface," stated the patent application.
While the patent filed by Apple hints at a stylus for the upcoming iPad Pro, former CEO and co-founder of the company Steve Jobs had been against styli for Apple products. During a conference in 2007, Jobs expressed his hatred against the use of styli on iDevices.
"Who wants a stylus? You have to get 'em, put 'em away, you lose 'em, yuck. Nobody wants a stylus," said Jobs.
Many people may find it easy to use fingers on their tablets, but some processes such as taking notes, drawing and others may not be possible without a stylus. There are many third-party styli available on the market that can be used on Apple iPads, but a product made by Apple may entice many more customers to use a stylus.
Apple has not yet revealed anything regarding the iPad Pro or a stylus for the tablet, which means that customers will have to wait until an official announcement is made by the company.
Photo: Maurizio Pesce | Flickr
