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iPad patent suggests landscape dock connector ... again

by Mike Schramm Nov 24th 2010 at 4:15PM

We've heard about this before, but a new patent illustration hints again at a second dock in a future version of the iPad, one that will enable you to both charge and sync your iPad from a landscape setup. Honestly, it seems a little redundant to have two dock connectors on there, since you'll never use more than one at a time anyway.

Still, competitors are already making use of a landscape charging setup, and Apple's been hinting about switching to a landscape charging display for a while. Could be that when we do see the next version of the iPad announced (likely next January), you'll have your option of which way to display it while charging.

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We've heard about this before, but a new patent illustration hints again at a second dock in a future version of the iPad, one that will...
 

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woody

This is *really* worthy of a patent?

November 26 2010 at 12:06 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
AndyL

No harm speculating, but my impression is that these Apple patents almost never predict actual products or product features.

November 25 2010 at 6:22 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Canajan

So far I've not even felt the need for a dock. I bought the iPad for it's portability, and so far have not used it at my desk at all. Another thing is were the diagram shows the proposed spot for another connection would interfere with a lot of the iPad cases.

November 25 2010 at 3:17 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Fanfoot

There are lots of good use cases for this. Using your iPad as a photo frame while docked. Using your iPad as a video player while docked. Using it with an external keyboard while docked....

November 25 2010 at 2:01 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
timrowledge

Lose the dock connector(s) altogether. Make use of an inductive charging pickup and BT (or a better replacement?) for all signal connectivity. No holes in the case, make it water resistant or even better, waterproof to at least a few feet.

November 24 2010 at 10:50 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Chris

If true, this is great news. The next thing we should hope for from Apple is for a push for more iOS compatible hardware.

November 24 2010 at 10:05 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
jpwillis

As long as they are in series and you can dock with one and use a USB adaptor at the same time. That would be a feature that I'd want over my current iPad

November 24 2010 at 9:45 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
jpwillis

As long as they are in series and you can dock with one and use a USB adaptor at the same time. That would be a feature that I'd want over my current iPad

November 24 2010 at 9:44 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Arnan de Gans

And I barely use the one I have now... Mre ugly holes :(

November 24 2010 at 8:48 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Joshhsoj1902

I have to ask... what is the use of a patent like this? does it mean that people can't make an iPad with two docks? because that seems a little redundant to me...

November 24 2010 at 6:21 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
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