Apple Said To Release iPad Pro Smart Keyboard With Trackpad Later This Year

The Information is out with a new report today that Apple plans to release iPad Pro Smart Keyboard with built-in Trackpad this year, and Foxconn is one of the supplier, cited a person familiar with the matter.

Apple is planning to release an iPad keyboard accessory later this year that will include a built-in trackpad, the latest step in its effort to position the tablet device as an alternative to laptop computers, according to a person familiar with the matter. The company will likely release the accessory alongside the next version of the iPad Pro expected later this year, the person added.

Today's report also stated that Apple has been experimenting with trackpads for the iPad for a number of years, with some prototypes had capacitive keys, which mimic the response of mechanical keys but with sensor. Previous patents from the iPhone maker shows iPad keyboards have keys with capacitive sensors and that can accept trackpad gestures.

Sources claim that the iPad Pro Smart Keyboard is likely to be made from materials similar to that of the current Smart Keyboard Folio designed for the iPad Pro. Taiwanese media DigiTimes sated in a January report that Apple is working on a ‌Smart Keyboard‌ with backlit keys and scissor switches, and said that it will be released later this year.

Apple has made several improvement to the iPad lineup in recent years. The company in 2018 released an iPad Pro featuring processors comparable in performance to those in some of its MacBooks. Then, last year, it introduced iPadOS, a operating system designed specifically for the iPads, bring desktop-level Safari experiences, a better Files app, and more to these tablet devices.

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