Apple Patent Points To Dock That Is Potentially An IoT Hub

A patent application from Apple, published today, reveals a new accessory. It's not a USB-C cable, nor is it a new cover for an iPad. This one is listed as a dock, presumably for the iPhone (though any Apple handheld can probably be used), which makes use of a second screen and inductive charging. The dock also supports gesture controls, and has features for wireless communication with other gadgets. From the sound of the patent, this dock is a lot more than a place to rest your phone.

Filed in 2013, the dock has a long list of features that make it handy for just about any Apple device. Inductive charging is immediately supported with Apple Watch, and a second screen even makes it handy when you don't have a device plugged in.

This dock has a series of inputs, too, ranging from HDMI to USB, even DVI and Thunderbolt.

We look to how the dock plans to communicate, though, and find this is a good option for a whole-home hub. While you can plug a device in, it doesn't appear necessary. Built-in WiFi can communicate with connected gadgets, so this 'dock' is suddenly much more 'Internet of Things' than an actual resting place for gadgets.

A second screen would make it useful without a device plugged in, and none of the sensors or interoperability with other gadgets relies on a phone at all. Plugging a phone or other gadget in would make sense, though — Hey Siri would make this dock/hub a voice controlled home automation solution.

Though HomeKit is seeing a slower than expected rollout, this hub would make it pretty attractive. A central command point for the HomeKit framework is enticing, and would at least add some consumer-facing context to the mysterious 'Internet of Things'.

Of course, we have no idea if this product is in the works, or if Apple is even still interested in building it.

Source: USPTO

Via: Apple Insider