Apple’s latest patent application reveals a new touchscreen iMac design for artists with a wireless charging station.

In the recent past, Apple limited its iMac and MacBook (macOS) software interactions to the mouse, keyboard, and trackpad, reserving all of its touchscreen software interactions for its iPhones and iPads (iOS and iPadOS). has taken. Although there are many hardware mods designed to convert the iMac’s interface to a touchscreen, these will be quite limited because the interface is not designed with touch interactions in mind. The closest Apple ever came to implementing a touchscreen was the MacBook in 2016, when its Pro laptop lineup introduced a new Touch Bar feature, which was replaced by regular function keys in 2023. had gone.

It was only with the recent macOS Ventura update in 2022 that macOS went with an overhauled System Settings (formerly System Preferences) interface with a one-inch touchscreen interface. It brought both iPadOS and macOS up to par in terms of design elements and also introduced a new mode called Stage Manager on macOS (introduced a year earlier with iPadOS 16 ), which helped to better manage open apps on both small (tablet) and large (Mac) devices. ) shows. Now, a newly filed patent indicates that Apple is working on adding a touchscreen to its iMac, a move that will come full circle when it launches in the near future.

Oh Patent application (through Clearly Apple) reveals many ideas that Apple is currently working on, which could potentially make their way into future products.

One image describes a low-profile iMac design that resembles a flat-screen TV with no base stand, while a few others purport to show a built-in carry handle, which slides out and all-in. One hides in the system display. when not in use. Another image also shows a handle mounted on the rear axle (which allows the display to tilt up or down) in what appears to be a newer-age iMac model.

More interestingly, the next batch of images shows the same iMac display without a base stand, but mounted on a dock device that provides a small storage shelf-like area for iPad, iPhone, and more. Can also double as a wireless charging stand. , Apple Watch and more. This dock device can raise a monitor or iMac by a few inches.

The images in this batch also reveal the recently launched iMac but with a touchscreen display. However, this display has two hinges (like a Microsoft Surface Studiowhich allows the display to tilt back and sit on the table at different angles, making it easier for artists.

The patent, filed on March 7, reportedly includes 20 new claims that address device stand systems, pivot mechanisms and device mounting systems. One of them also mentions a pivot system that will actually allow the display to pivot from left to right, a long-time ban on iMac models.

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