Apple is working on ‘magic gloves’ that work with touchscreen devices like iPad!

Apple was granted a new patent that will allow users to wear a special glove and control touchscreen devices like an iPhone or iPad. Apple says that in cold places it is necessary for users to continue to wear gloves while at the same time being able to use their devices.

When users, in cold weather, wear thick or bulky gloves, some electronic devices may therefore be unable to recognize or identify user interactions with the input mechanism. The loss of tactile feedback to the user may prevent the user from properly operating the electronic device, and may lead to frustration. Alternatively, if the user has to remove his gloves to operate the electronic device, the user’s hand may become cold and uncomfortable, which may also lead to user frustration.

Apple’s solution is a special glove with an outer shell that can be used to operate a touchscreen device. Apple says that the glove can provide tactile feedback to the user.

A glove that includes an inner liner and an outer shell may be provided. The liner may include a palm portion and one or more fingers operative to receive a user’s hand. The liner may be constructed such that the user receives tactile feedback when the user manipulates the input mechanism of an electronic device while wearing the liner.

Last November Hitachi revealed touch panels capable of detecting input from plastic or even a cloth. This could allow a device to be used with gloves in cold places.
Source: Patently Apple