Apple wants to make the iPad an essential work tool. Now there's evidence the company is sprucing up the tablet's Smart Covers to give users faster access to information.
Apple was granted a patent for built-in displays on iPad covers, according to aUnited States Patent and Trade Office patent found by Business Insider.
Right now, the Smart Cover is a bare-bones piece of plastic that attaches to the iPad's side with built-in magnets. It's supposed to protect the screen and turn it on automatically when you open it; it also folds up to become a stand.
But according to illustrations in the patent, the new cover would have a built-in displays to show off notifications or update widgets, so the user doesn't have to open the cover to see updated information or messages.
Some illustrations show perforated holes that form messages, not unlike HTC's Dot case for the One M8. That cover the holes to let users check the time, weather, and other functions.
Don't get too excited about this possible feature. Apple tests and patents plenty of products it's working on, and many don't see the light of day.
This patent has a couple things going against it. The iPad and Smart Cover depicted in the images are both pretty old. Given that we haven't seen or heard much about this from other sources, Apple may have moved on from developing the accessory.
That doesn't mean the technology won't ever appear in an iPad accessory. After all, Apple is starting to market the iPad as a work device in order to revive lagging sales, so we might see a number of new features and products. iOS 9, the company's upcoming software update, adds a split-screen multitasking mode, as well as a faster way to use the cursor while typing on an iPad.