A new patent application revealed recently shows what kind of improved pen-based input technology the Apple has been working on behind the scenes. Even the best modern touchscreens have an issue with effectively reproducing the experience of writing with a pen or pencil. This is due in part to the fact that they are focused on being good for use with one’s fingers. Writing is being effectively left as exclusive domain of the keyboard. However with the new Superheterodyne Pen Stimulus Signal Receiver,”  would allow a device that could have a different frequency for stylus-based input that would be distinct from that of a traditional fingertip touch signal.

This technology is said to only be made available on the largest devices such as the rumored jumbo-sized 12.9-inch iPad coming out in 2016 at the earliest. This would make these devices at last function as effective replacements for pencil and paper notebooks rather than just being a compromise solution which many people appeal to because of their other functions. This improved writing functionality would, according to Ming-Chi Kuo on AppleInsider, be available as an add-on and not part of the main product. This points to a specialized target consumer base.

In a sense concepts like this are racing against the clock as typing becomes more and more natural to people over handwriting and ever fewer day to day tasks require handwriting. However the potential advantages for drawing and other graphical work cannot be denied and do not suffer from this issue.

Apple states that the stylus will not use any more power than a conventional touch-sensitive device. Considering that major hardware modifications are involved including the conversion of touchscreen signals from one frequency to to another, such statements are not too credible. Even if this is the case however the improved functionality would certainly be worth the loss of some battery life to many potential Apple users who desire true notebook functionality in their mobile devices.