Future Apple Pencil could write on iPhone, MacBook Pro, or even Apple Watch

New research from Apple shows it is considering an Apple Pencil that does not require a touch-sensitive iPad screen, and instead can write or draw using any surface.

Detail from the patent showing one Apple Pencil using light and another using a trackball-like device — image credit: Apple

Apple applies for many hundreds of patents every year, but even when one is granted, it's no guarantee we'll ever see the technology used in a product. But it is often a sign that Apple is pursuing a particular idea, such as how it's previously investigated adding Apple Pencil support to the iPhone.

Now a newly-granted patent called "Input device with optical sensors," proposes a system that would let a future Apple Pencil be used on — or above — any surface at all. It's about moving all of the sensors into the Apple Pencil, rather than relying on it interacting with ones in an iPad.Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums