Apple files tablet patent for stylus-controlled device

Posted by Adam Bunker on Thu 12 Nov 2009

Is this the tablet we've all been waiting for?

After the many months of rumours, leaks and ‘insider’ info, it seems that this is the most concrete evidence yet that Apple are soon to launch a tablet computer.

The design to the right accompanies a patent recently filed by Apple for a touchscreen device controlled via a stylus, and the patent’s abstract (which we won’t transcribe here for it’s over-complication) talks loosely of multi-touch tech and handwriting recognition.

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Steve Jobs has famously spoken against the need for a stylus with Apple touchscreen tech, stating at the launch of the iPhone that Apple had “invented a new technology called multi-touch. It works like magic, you don't need a stylus, and it's far more accurate than any interface ever shipped.”

That said, it makes perfect sense to have a stylus with handwriting recognition in a machine designed more for just media playback. Being a fully-fledged computer, the tablet is expected to handle a host of business and work-related tasks with ease.

Of course, Apple is loathed to actually tell anyone what they’re working on until products are actually launched, so all that’s left to do now is stare longingly at the design to pictured and wait until the new year.

Link: Via Macworld