Apple “intelligent bezel” patents tip future iPad interface
Two recently granted Apple patents have given a glimpse into how Apple might handle tablet navigation in future iPad models. The patents document a so-called intelligent bezel, where the section of chassis surrounding the main display could respond to touch input.
Capacitive sensors running around the edges of the screen would trigger contextual menu options, similar to the soft-keys generally found at the bottom of a smartphone display. However in Apple’s case, these soft-keys could be docked at any of the four screen edges, as well as being of different sizes, and they would rotate as the iPad itself flipped orientation.
Different bezel-touches could be linked to different on-screen controls, meanwhile, and Apple have also worked in some discrimination technology so that merely gripping the iPad – or whatever tablet this tech might appear on – won’t accidentally fire off a load of menu choices.
[via eHomeUpgrade]
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