Is Apple working on an iMac made of glass?

Some time ago, Apple secured a patent for an iMac with an additional display on the back. Apparently, the tech company has not yet abandoned its idea. The company has now updated the whole thing once again.

New design for Apple iMac?

There are currently many rumors, but also certainties surrounding Apple. For example, it has now been revealed that the company has probably already given up its dream of developing its first electric car. On the other hand, new ideas for future products are presumably coming to light. For example, the inventor of the iPhone has filed a patent application for a practical ring that, among other things, is designed to determine the wearer’s health values. But that is not the only patent. Apple has now added an update to a patent application from 2020, which has of course got the rumor mill churning again.

The US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has officially pointed out a corresponding update. The focus is on the ever-popular iMac. Its current design has been around for almost four years now. So is it time for a fresh look? At least that’s what the application suggests, which envisages an exciting glass design for the all-in-one PC. Not only is the keyboard to be connected to the iMac using the curved shape of the glass surface. On top of this, the glass is to be fitted with a second screen on the back. Of course, this raises the crucial question: Why do we need this? The Californian tech giant has yet to make a statement to this effect.

Use in education and industry

Of course, many people are now wondering what we can expect from such an iMac. As the industry experts at Patently Apple now emphasize, such an all-in-one PC is not really suitable for home use. Instead, it could be used in schools and universities, for example. However, this also raises the question of why teachers should not simply use AirPlay or other means to access significantly larger screens that all pupils and students can see. A much more obvious use would be in the hotel industry or sales, for example. Patently Apple also points this out. Here, customers could easily track book transactions and invoices.

Perhaps the whole thing only looks like a display, but is actually not one at all? Another sketch seems to indicate this. Here it looks more like a practical docking port for connecting other Apple gadgets. In particular, the contents of the patent application already indicated the connection of a MacBook in 2020. First, the MacBook is inserted on the back. It would then not only be possible to use the iMac as a larger screen. In addition, the keyboard and trackpad of the glass surface on the front would directly control the MacBook.

When will the glass iMac arrive?

How meaningful the patent is remains to be seen. After all, this is not the first time that Apple has wanted to secure pure design protection in black and white. It is therefore doubtful whether a market-ready product will ultimately emerge. Nevertheless, it is an open secret that Apple is currently considering an iMac made of glass. But before we look into the future, let’s wait and see this week. According to rumors, the tech company could unveil new MacBooks, iPads and more in the coming days.