Apple Patent Reveals Location Based Docking System

Apple has filed a patent application for a 'Location-Based Dock for a Computing Device', according to documents revealed by the USPTO this week.

AppleInsider reports that the proposed invention dynamically changes the interface and settings of a portable device depending on where its docked.

"It is often left to the user to configure the computing device for use at different locations by accessing or selecting the proper software applications and security measures for the computing device..." the application reads. "However, such configuration of the device may be both time-consuming and confusing to a non-sophisticated user."


The basic idea is that your iPhone, iPad, or even MacBook would recognize its location based on where its docked and reconfigure itself to perform as best as possible at that current location. For example, your phone could enable voice control or GPS when its docked in the car.

Besides having the dock recognize your location, Apple also notes that settings could be tied to a specific dock. For example, you could have multiple docks at a specific location, allowing each to be used for different computing configurations.

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