Apple to launch its own iPad 5 “Touch Cover”?

Apple is reportedly preparing its own version of Microsoft’s Touch Cover for the iPad Air, which could potentially make an appearance at tonight’s event.

There are rumours suggesting Apple is working on an iPad 5 (officially labelled iPad Air) cover that would mimic that of the Microsoft Surface Touch Cover.

According to Jamie Ryan, a former employee of Apple’s Developer Relations team, the iPad 5 will have its own new touch keyboard Smart Cover.

“I’ve been speaking to a couple of people at Apple for the last few days and they have told me that a case for the full size iPad that mimics Microsoft touch cover has been prototyped” reads Ryan’s post. “It’s not clear whether the process is far enough along to make this Tuesday’s event but they did say a few different styles had been in testing for a while.”

Apple already offers a range of iPad Bluetooth wireless keyboards, such as the Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard cover for iPad mini, but it hasn’t released its own keyboard dock since the original iPad.

The Microsoft Surface Touch Cover functions as a cover for the screen as well as a connected keyboard. Similar to the Apple SmartCover, the Touch Cover connects magnetically.

Microsoft has just released the new Touch Cover 2 for the Microsoft Surface 2 today, the same day as the Apple iPad event this evening, October 22.

Apple is expected to launch the iPad 5 and iPad mini 2 at tonight’s event, with the latter finally getting a Retina display upgrade.

Along with the aforementioned new keyboard cover, the iPad 5 is expected to offer a new slimline form factor with iPad mini mimicking bezels and design.

Whether Apple chooses to launch a new SmartCover with built-in keyboard for the iPad 5 is unknown as yet, but with the event mere hours away, we won’t have long to wait.

Next, read our pick of the best iPhone 5S cases.