Oliver Cragg / Android Authority
TL;DR
- Apple is reportedly following in the Pixel Tablet’s footsteps with a dock for the iPad.
- This accessory would transform the iPad into a smart home hub of sorts.
Google shed more light on the Pixel Tablet earlier this month, confirming that its 2023 tablet can effectively turn into a smart display with the aid of a dock. Now, it turns out that Apple could copy this approach for future iPads.
Bloomberg reports that Apple is planning a similar concept for iPads next year, allowing users to turn the tablet into a smart hub and smart speaker. This would be accomplished via a dock that Apple could sell separately.
The Pixel Tablet’s dock offers both charging functionality and extra speakers, so it stands to reason that Apple would offer the same features if it’s indeed copying Google’s approach.
A shortcut to smart home success?
Either way, this could help the company in its smart home fight against rivals. Apple’s share of the smart speaker/display space is tiny compared to Google and Amazon, but the Cupertino company could theoretically boost its presence in this arena by harnessing the millions of iPads already on the market.
This isn’t the only iPad-related news though, as Bloomberg adds that the company will launch new 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro models in the coming days as well. These new slates are tipped to arrive with M2 processors and a similar design compared to previous Pro models. It’s also believed that Apple will offer a refreshed entry-level iPad with USB-C support and a Pro-like design.
