Apple patent hints at Thunderbolt for iOS devices

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Faster connectivity between Mac and iPhone incoming?




Apple's Thunderbolt connectivity is set to be integrated into future iOS devices


Apple is preparing to integrate Thunderbolt I/O connectivity into a future generation of iOS devices according to a newly-uneathed patent filing.

Three new filings made to the US Patent Office show that plans which would speed up data transfer between Apple iPhones, iPods and iPads and Mac OS X computers.

It could also lead to a much faster charging solution for iOS devices.

In the filing Apple says: "The present invention, connection may also be a new type of connection. … a connection may be provided between a portable media player and a display, a computer and a portable media player, or between other types of devices."

Who owns Thunderbolt?

Apple debuted Thunderbolt in an early 2011 iteration of the MacBook Pro and followed it up by including it in new Macs and MacBook Air laptops later that year.

The technology was developed by Intel in collaboration with Apple, although it's unclear who has ownership over the technology.

Clearly, Apple believes it has enough sway to file for new Thunderbolt patents, which Patently Apple has explained in tremendous detail.

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