Industry analyst and longtime Apple insider Ming-Chi Kuo of KGI Securities reports that Apple will likely launch a hardware stylus to enhance the user experience of the rumored 12.9-inch iPad Pro. Third party developers have already created stylus options for Apple’s iPads, but it is also being disclosed that the Tim Cook-led company has filed multiple stylus-related patents as a lead-up to their expected hardware launch.
With a rumored release for second quarter 2015 (in regards to the stylus), Kuo wrote, “Given that it’s more precise than a person’s fingers, a stylus can be more convenient to use than the combination of keyboard and mouse in some cases. Therefore, we believe Apple’s stylus will improve the user experience of 12.9-inch iPad.”
While the large iPad Pro has also yet to receive confirmed release information as well, Kuo also believes that the stylus will not initially be programmed to said iPad Pro, but will serve as an optional add-on.
“Coupled with its unfavorable cost structure, high selling prices may turn consumers off if the 12.9-inch iPad is always bundled with it,” he wrote. “We therefore expect the stylus to be an optional accessory before sufficient user feedback is received.”
Again, there have been no confirmations on Apple’s stylus hardware, but Kuo’s reports and the filing of such related patents do point towards a release at some point in the future.