The Next iPad Might Be an iMac

If recent patent filings are an indicator, the next generation of the iPad to obsess with will be an iMac. Filed in September 2009 and published in January 2010, the European patents cover a system for an iMac Touch, “a device that acts like a standard desktop computer in one orientation and a tablet in another.”

Here is the drill: The device works as a standard iMac or flatscreen monitor in the upright position, and its controls are still wired in the mouse and keyboard. When tilted, the controls shift to multi-touch and the operating system switches from Mac OS X to iOS, all through the work of an accelerometer.

The document also outlines a system that would allow peripheral control of an iPhone or an iPad from the iMac Touch. The idea of seamless switching control modes and operating systems brings the best of both worlds from two previous Apple devices. Dual function seems to be an interesting pick-up point for the Apple-savvy. Imagine how many users have been wishing for their MacBook and iPad to be combined into one super device.

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