Apple tease Galaxy Note owners with iPhone stylus patent application

Apple have filed a patent for a number of potential stylus accessories to be used with iOS devices like the iPhone and iPad.

The first application is for an optical stylus, using a camera embedded in its tip to track pixels and markings on screen in order to interact with iOS content.

The second focusses on haptic feedback, using a haptic actuator and short-range wireless receiver to generate vibrations from the slate device’s bezel.

“An input device capable of generating haptic feedback may help a user navigate content displayed on the screen, and may further serve to enhance the content of various applications by creating a more appealing and realistic user interface,” explains the filing.

Though the late Steve Jobs had begun fairly anti-stylus once the iPhone had launched, Apple had previously offered the stylus-packing Apple Newton MessagePad, and more recently in 2010 filed a patent for a pressure sensitive stylus for low-resolution touch sensitive displays.

It remains unlikely however that the next iPad or iPhone 5 will exclusively need stylus input. While it’s possible that Apple may introduce their own stylus accessory in the future, this is more likely a patent land-grab in order to block out moves by the competition. The oversized Samsung Galaxy Note for instance has proved that stylus input is still welcomed by many tech consumers, and Apple may be looking to hamstring any future developments by its rivals into stylus technology.

Via: Apple Insider