Apple tablets almost came with dual docking ports from the very beginning. New images of an early prototype iPad show it sports a charging/data port on its bottom edge and a second one on its left edge.
The final version released in 2010 only packed a single port, but this prototype shows how the initial Apple tablets could have gone in a different direction. Which is an interesting tidbit with the anniversary of the first model coming up.
A dual-port iPad prototype
The images were posted by Giulio Zompetti on Twitter.
iPad, first generation prototype.
Initially, Apple was planning to feature a dual dock system on its first tablet.
The secondary port was situated on the left side of the device.
Concurrent charging was apparently supported.
This feature was removed in a later DVT stage. pic.twitter.com/7yJHsXPoYL— Giulio Zompetti (@1nsane_dev) March 27, 2021
He claims they show a first generation prototype with a dual dock system. “This feature was removed in a later DVT stage,” says Zompetti.
This was possibly one of several Engineering Validation Test units intended to allow designers to test various configurations for Apple’s initial tablet. But it didn’t make the cut to become a Design Validation Test unit.
This first iPad used Apple’s old 30-pin connector. This was later replaced by Lighting, and then by USB-C in some versions.
What’s old is new again
For years, all iPad models had a single charging/data port. This limited the sorts of accessories that could plug into the tablet. It took until the iPad Pro released in 2015 for a second port to be added. This is the Smart Connector, and is primarily intended for add-on keyboards.
The iPad prototype shows engineers were on the right track back before the very first iPad was released. It just took Apple a few more years to realize it.
