Microsoft Surface Pro 5 Rumors: Magnetic Charging Dock for Stylus in the Works?

By Edward Leano, Christian Post Contributor Tuesday, February 14, 2017

The Surface Pro 5 has been highly anticipated ever since the current Surface Pro 4 has taken the convertible laptop market by storm. It is apparent that Microsoft will need to launch the next two-in-one device with new features that will elevate it above its predecessor — and also from upcoming rival offerings from Apple and Intel.

As a device that's become immensely popular with home users and professionals alike, many are waiting to see if the upcoming Surface Pro 5 will be a proper follow-up to the current two-in-one device. Fans and watchers are currently speculating when it will release, and what new features it will be launching with — especially ones that will make it stand out from the Surface Pro 4.

One such possible feature lies in the patent application uncovered by Patently Mobile. Last month the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has published a patent granted to Microsoft, and this publication may give some clues on the direction Microsoft is taking with the Surface Pen.

The current pen, as it comes with the Surface Pro 4, is powered by triple A or button cell batteries. In the patent, Microsoft is protecting their design for two new features: a stylus that can recharge on contact with a charging terminal, and a stylus dock that can hold a pen when not in use by means of magnets.

Put the two together, with some more details from the patent application diagrams, and one can see a design for a magnetic stylus holder that doubles as a charging terminal. In the patent schematics, this magnetic styling dock looks like it can be built into one of the edges of a tablet device like the Surface Pro 5.

Another subject for rumors is the possible release date for the device -— which is commonly pegged at April 2017 as noted by TechRadar. This time frame coincides with the Creators Update for Windows 10. A line of hardware and devices are rumored to launch with the next major update for the latest Windows Operating System, with some speculation pointing out to the possibility of the Surface Pro 5 being among them.