Patently Apple is reporting that a recent -- and apparently rather hastily published -- continuation patent application seems to tip the company's intention to integrate its MagSafe power connector into future versions of portables such as the iPhone and iPad.
The MagSafe connector is held in place magnetically so that if tugged on, it disengages from the socket easily and safely, without damaging it or the computer. Thus alleviating the dreaded laptop-hits-floor scenario when someone accidentally pulls or trips on the power cord!
Wikipedia notes that the MagSafe is similar to the magnetic power connectors that many deep fryers and Japanese countertop cooking appliances have in order to avoid spilling their dangerously hot contents.
I like what Darius Chang commenting at CNET Asia has to say on all this:
The MagSafe connector is one of those features which makes so much sense that one wonders why it has not become a universal standard...Still, not all patents actually take on physical form, take this with a pinch of salt for now.
It would be interesting to know what factors might serve to preclude Apple's moving the MagSafe connector into these portable designs. Might it have something to do with concerns surrounding physical footprint and size, in light of recent reports of these rapidly-becoming-ubiquitous devices already being on deck to sprout additional interfaces?
No comments:
Post a Comment