Apple considering MagSafe charger on iPad
The continuation patent, published on October 7th 2010 by the US Patent and Trademark Office, clearly depicts what looks like an iPhone / iPod touch / iPad with figure 62 revealing what appears to be a power connector. This power connector, expanded upon in greater detail in further diagrams, depicts what appears to be, according to Patently Apple, a MagSafe Power Port. And here at TUAW, we'll concur. It does look remarkably like a MagSafe Power Port.
The MagSafe power adapter and port (first introduced in 2006 and then quietly updated in April of this year), are designed to connect the power cable to your MacBook / Pro / Air magnetically, allowing for a solid connection, but providing an immediate disconnection if the power cord is strongly pulled on. The idea is to stop your MacBook from flying off the table when you accidentally trip over the power cord.
I can't imagine Apple introducing a lone power port for the iPad, but I can see the advantage in adding the MagSafe's magnetic qualities to, say, the 30-pin connector currently used with all iPods, iPhones and iPads. What do you think, readers? I know I've yanked my iPhone off the desk by inadvertently pulling on the 30-pin connector cable. A release mechanism like the MagSafe would certainly come in handy.
Apple first filed this patent in June of this year. With this follow up continuation patent being filed in October, Patently Apple seems to suggest that Apple maybe trying to rush through the patent for an upcoming product release. But, with patents, it's hard to know whether these ideas will actually see the light of day in released products. It could just be another case of Apple securing its intellectual property.
Share
Categories
Here's something to get your mind wondering this Monday afternoon. Patently Apple is reporting that Apple may be considering integrating...
Add a Comment
One problem I would have with putting MagSafe on mobile iDevices (iPhone, iPod, iPad) is that since the port on the machine is magnetic, it would probably attract debris from inside bags and pockets into the MagSafe port.
November 05 2010 at 6:16 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyIts not an iPad!
It's an iMac that can become un-docked/mounted from the stand to become a portable tablet.
With the touch screen iMac patents from a few weeks ago I think this is very viable in the future.
Since the patent itself refers (by name) to MagSafe, I don't think it's a USB port or mini DisplayPort connector.
October 11 2010 at 5:14 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Replyforget the magsafe... doesn't anyone think it could be that mini display port or whatever its called?
October 11 2010 at 4:35 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyDoes this mean Apple is finally, finally, FINALLY going to license the MagSafe connector so we can have 3rd party chargers? I'm still waiting for the MagSafe tip to use with my iGo.
October 11 2010 at 4:20 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyMagsafe + LightPeak = iPad sync of the future?
And no, wireless sync is not the iPad / iPhone sync of the future. Wireless sync is totally useless for two reasons. 1) You could walk out of range of your wi-fi in the middle of syncing an iPod touch. 2) You need to plug your iDevice in to charge it up anyway, so you'll always need a cable or dock. (And inductive charging is so inefficient that Apple would catch hell from Greenpeace.)
Having said that, I think it should be possible to make syncing interruption-recoverable. Even OS updates could be interruptible as long as syncing could be resumed from the exact point of the interruption. This means a precise byte-count of the transferred data or something like that would be needed to resume from the exact point of the interruption. It's not rocket science. But it would make a Magsafe iPad connection feasible.
Looks similar to a USB port, but either way, the diagram does not CLEARLY look like an iPod Touch/iPhone/iPad.
To me, when I first viewed it, I saw the screen part of the rumored touchscreen iMac, off the base.
I would love magsafe power ports for charging all my idevices. When my family gets together, everyone is trying to charge iphone and ipads all over the house, and the different charge rates...
October 11 2010 at 2:31 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyClearly a USB port.
October 11 2010 at 2:29 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyShould have gone to SpecSavers
October 11 2010 at 3:51 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyUnless the magnetic connection is much weaker than that on MacBooks, I really don't see the magsafe accidental disconnect working too well on iPhones and iPods.
October 11 2010 at 2:11 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyDeals of the Day
more deals- Cases for New iPad at HandHeldItems: Extra 20% off, $2 credit, from $3 + $3 s&h
- $15 Apple iTunes Gift Card for $8 for new Saveology customers
- Philips Fidelio Docking Speaker Station for iPhone / iPod for $38 + $6 s&h
- Retro 80's Case for iPhone for $11 + $2 s&h
- HHI 360 Dual-View Stand Case for new iPad w/ $2 credit for $12 + $3 s&h
- HHI ReElegant Smart Cover Companion Case for new iPad from $5 + $3 s&h
Software Updates
more updatesFeatured Stories
more stories
Popular Stories
TUAW (or The Unofficial Apple Weblog) is a website devoted to tips, reviews, news, analysis and opinion on everything Apple.
16 Comments