“It’s so big!” “I don’t know if I really want something that big.” “Did it need to be that large?” “Woah.” Those are all very common reactions to the size of my… iPad bezel. Here, let us explain why it’s so big (wait for it):
• We want some place to touch on the front that’s not going to cause everything to open.
• No seriously, I’ve called way too many people on accident… some heard things they really shouldn’t hear.
• Believe it or not, it’s also added protection against damage. Having that extra space around the edge has saved several MacBook LCDs from complete torment. The glass still breaks, but the LCDs are usually fine.
• There’s no way to avoid something that large if you’re going to make it so thin at the edge.

That’s what she saidl! All jokes aside, let’s get to the patent…

It’s nothing new (circa 2006), but it’s something that has gained popularity due to the announcement of the iPad. To us, it actually seems a little Microsoft, not Apple. Basically, a menu bubble would show you where to touch the bezel for certain tasks. We imagine that this technology will never arrive in its initial specifications, but we could easily see it used for additional game controls, exposé for possible multitasking or just better use of the real estate without sacrificing visuals. We really don’t see Apple putting an overlay of buttons at this point, but no one can resist some that cool, that big.

Right? Guys? Come on! … Guys?

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