Apple wants to put the iPad in our cars.
A new patent suggests that Apple plans to integrate the iPad into cars as an entertainment/control system.
The patent, published by the USPTO last week, focuses on a stand the iPad would use in multiple applications. The new mounting system would work with the magnets built into the frame of the iPad, which were designed to connect the tablet to its purpose-built “smart cover.”
Like all Apple patents these days, the system is vague, and could be merely a defensive move to keep others from developing the technology, but if they’re actually working on these mounting systems, we could see some very interesting uses for the iPad in the future.
Apple isn’t just sticking iPads to dashboards. The patent covers a number of different applications for a purpose-built mounting system for the tablet. The filing also presents an iPad mounting system for a treadmill (so I can finally watch Cake Boss while I exercise) and a music stand, which would actually be great for musicians who use iPads in performing live.
The patent’s coolest use for the magnetic connection, however, is a design that would put two iPads together on a hinge, like a book. This brings up another function that Apple is looking into with the patent: data connections.
This iPad stand/connector could also transfer data through a built-in wired connection on each half of the hinged “book” connector. The patent also describes a car/tablet connection in which the tablet and car could communicate using a unique “magnetic signature.”
The filing shows a picture of an iPad hanging from a car’s roof, demonstrating that the magnetic system will be strong enough to hold the iPad upside down. As TechCrunch explains, with a wireless connection, this could turn an iPad in your car into a “unique and personalized in-car entertainment device and control console.”
Let’s just hope Google is working on the same thing for Glass (“Ok, Glass, display pictures of cake while I jog.").
