Apple has extended protection rights for a range of iPad accessories, prompting inevitable speculation over the future of the market-leading slate.
According to latest leaks, the Cupertino-based company recently updated a patent originally filed in February last year, further fuelling rumours that the much mooted iPad Pro will come with a stylus.
We’ve long suspected this to be the case and while Apple’s latest move hardly serves as confirmation, the inclusion of a digital pen is looking more and more likely.
As well as a stylus, the filing details a stylus holder, a keyboard, a magnetic card reader, a data storage device, an antenna system and a camera.
The iPad Pro is also expected to feature an enlarged 12.9-inch screen, the new USB Type C port and as-yet-unseen iOS features, including simultaneous multi-tasking and support for multiple user profiles.
This all paints the picture of an iPad built for use in a professional environment – and one designed to compete with Microsoft’s Surface Pro 3.
While we’re going to have to wait a few months to see what Apple has in store for us on the iPad front, we’re expecting the company to throw plenty our way at WWDC 2015 on Monday.
SEE ALSO: WWDC 2015: What to expect
As well as iOS 9, OS X and Apple Pay, we’re also keeping our eyes peeled for news on HomeKit, CarPlay and a much-rumoured music streaming service.
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Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
