“On June 30, 2011, the US Patent & Trademark Office published a patent application from Apple that reveals one of the next chapters for docking stations,” Jack Purcher reports for Patently Apple.
“Apple’s current docking solutions are primarily restricted to iOS devices and are basically passive in nature,” Purcher reports. “Today’s patent application reveals Apple’s intentions of expanding docking solutions to the MacBook while introducing us to the smart-dock.”
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Purcher reports, “This next generation docking station will be location-smart or location-aware. For example, the proposed dynamic docking station could automatically be set to work with your living room devices such as your HDTV and/or stereo and then switch its configuration to work with other peripherals when you transport it to your office, car or elsewhere.”
Much more in the full article, including Apple’s patent application illustrations, here.
This would explain the large number of MacBook Airs to be built. One real computer for multiple location docks or usable undocked.
Interesting.
I would like an elegant, Apple dock for my MacBook Pro. At work I use a large monitor, external keyboard and trackball, and various USB devices. When the ports were on the back of the PowerBooks, there was a third party solution that was pretty slick. Granted, it’s only six or so connections to make every day, but the convenience would be nice, and it would be less strain on the various cables.