Last week Patently Apple posted a report titled "An Apple patent presents its work on a Possible Future Modular Computing Device." Today the U.S. Patent Office published another Apple patent application relating to this same theme focused on a hinged keyboard accessory for iPad that provides multiple installation modes that could deliver superior flexibility for users.  

One particular patent figure would strongly suggest that this tablet could take on a macOS (or macOS-like) user interface as presented below.

On the hardware front, Apple notes that in one embodiment the new accessory device for iPad includes a base portion and a coupling mechanism. The base portion may include a keyboard having a set of electromechanical keys. The coupling mechanism may be positioned along a side of the keyboard and may be configured to rotatably couple the base portion to the tablet computing device having a touchscreen display.

The accessory device may include a coupling mechanism for releasably coupling the base portion of the accessory device to a tablet computing device in multiple different installation modes. The coupling mechanism may define an attachment interface for retaining the tablet computing device to the base portion. The attachment interface may be at least partially defined by a body section of the coupling mechanism.

Apple's patent FIGS. 1A-1F below illustrate a system (#100) that includes a an iPad (#110) and an accessory device (#120) that are capable of being releasably coupled together in multiple installation modes as presented below.

The accessory device includes a base portion #122 and a coupling mechanism #130. The coupling mechanism is capable of releasably coupling the iPad to the base portion of the accessory device; FIG. 1E illustrates that the iPad could be reversed with the display on the backside when the user folds it down over the keyboard.

As shown in FIG. 7C below, the magnetic element #780b may move between a first position #781a and a second position #781b.

In Apple's patent FIG. 3A above we see that the hinge may provide an interface and/or in 4A the hinge could magnetically support an Apple Pencil. FIG. 4A clearly presents a macOS or macOS-like UI. It doesn't seem to be displaying Apple's Sidecar feature as it's edge to edge; In FIG. 8A we see that the hinge could provide a connection interface that would support adding other accessories such as a camera, projector, a microphone or light. 

Lastly, Apple notes that the tablet computing device comprises a first magnetic element; and the coupling mechanism comprises a second magnetic element configured to couple the tablet computing device to the accessory device when aligned with the first magnetic element.

The tablet computing device further comprises a third magnetic element; the coupling mechanism further comprises a fourth magnetic element; the processing unit is configured to cause the fourth magnetic element to transition between a first state and a second state; in the first state, the fourth magnetic element is attracted to the third magnetic element; and in the second state, the fourth magnetic element repels the third magnetic element.

For full details, review Apple's patent application 20250076936. The lead inventor list on the patent is Paul X Wang, Senior Manager, Product Design.

Apple's patent FIG. 2A really makes a case for this hybrid device to being able to run macOS. Could this be a modular MacBook or a possible future iPad Pro system? While only time will tell, it sure would nice to see more innovation like this come to market from Apple to shake things up from the doldrums.