Apple Computer has been granted a patent for an “Electronic device.” The patent application was filed on March 17, 2004 and granted today, Tuesday, May 10th, 2005. Illustrations show what looks like a Mac Tablet with a touch screen and the patent filing does mentions the “HP Compaq Tablet PC,” the “ViewPad 1000,” and the “Tablet PC V1100.”

Being granted a patent is one thing and actually creating a product is quite another. Apple may be making a Tablet Mac or may have simply secured a patent and decided there isn’t a sufficient market for the device.

MacObserver has some more details and a few more angles of the device in their article by John Kheit here.

[Thanks to MDN reader "James" for sending us the link to the patent database who got it from MacObserver.]

Related MacDailyNews articles:
Apple looking to add wireless connectivity to iPod, rumored Tablet Mac? – August 25, 2004
Apple hints at ‘handheld tablet computer’ with European design trademark filing – August 13, 2004
The Age ponders video Bluetooth iPod; tablet Mac possibilities – January 22, 2003
Apple readying secret iTablet for Macworld unveiling? – January 03, 2003
Tablet Mac watch begins – November 17, 2002