Skip to main content

New patents refer to Apple Pencil working with iPhone, show use with iMovie & more

A series of new patents spotted by Patently Apple refer to the Apple Pencil working with an iPhone, as well as illustrating it being used with additional stock iOS apps like iMovie.

A comment by Tim Cook back in September seemed to suggest that Apple is already testing the Apple Pencil with an iPhone …

If you’ve ever seen what can be created with that pencil on an iPad or an iPhone, it’s really unbelievable.

A poll of more than 10,000 9to5Mac readers found that a third of you definitely wanted to use the Apple Pencil with an iPhone. Apple has also been granted a patent for use of the Apple Pencil with a Mac trackpad.

An earlier report also suggested that Apple was testing use of the Apple Pencil in a range of stock apps on the iPad, including Mail, Messages and Safari. The patents include use in Messages, and also appear to show it being used for video editing in iMovie.

We throw in our usual disclaimer that Apple patents way more things that it ever launches, but given the evidence in this case, support for both the iPhone and a wider range of stock apps on the iPad would seem to be more likely than not.

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

You’re reading 9to5Mac — experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

Comments

Author

Avatar for Ben Lovejoy Ben Lovejoy

Ben Lovejoy is a British technology writer and EU Editor for 9to5Mac. He’s known for his op-eds and diary pieces, exploring his experience of Apple products over time, for a more rounded review. He also writes fiction, with two technothriller novels, a couple of SF shorts and a rom-com!


Ben Lovejoy's favorite gear