Apple is exploring how to make the interface experience of the folding iPhone, iPad and even the full-screen MacBook Pro go beyond the simple overlay of the hardware itself.
The newly granted patent "User Interface for Multi-Monitor Devices" showcases a MacBook Pro-like dual-screen folding device with 335 design drawings. Apple's patent focuses on the collaboration between two screens, continuing the Mac's tradition of supporting multiple screens, and combined with the Universal Control function, it further explores how to intelligently integrate screen resources, and may even redefine the way you type, such as replacing a physical keyboard.
Apple's patent description broadly covers a wide range of device forms, from portable communication devices to desktops with touch interfaces, emphasizing the ubiquity of applications. Despite this, most of the illustrations are skewed towards foldable phones or tablets, but it is also clear that the scope extends to laptops and even desktops.
The core concept is to replace the traditional keyboard area with a touchscreen that can be used as an artpad, trackpad, or virtual keyboard. Apple specifically mentioned that the touchscreen may have a high resolution to meet the needs of different use cases. Users primarily access information through the top display and interact with the touchscreen, both of which work together to improve operational efficiency and battery life.
Apple has carefully planned the user experience, such as the color and animation changes of the cursor, to help users locate faster, reduce misuse, and indirectly save power. The goal is to allow users to seamlessly transition between two screens, without having to distinguish between operational boundaries, and achieve a natural and fluid interaction experience.