Directly from the patent and trademark office in the USA we have one invention patent of the Apple company that describes how the magnets in our iDevices could be used for various functions. Apple implemented magnets in the iPad 2 tablet to allow the device to be locked/unlocked using the SmartCover but now the same magnets could be used for a variety of other functions. Apple calls them "encoded magnets" and imagines that through them they could unlock various information in iDevices or enable the security of others. Apple imagines that users could use a stylus that would either connect to the tablet or be attached to a certain point of the tablet and could generate the display of certain information or allow or reject the transfer of information from another device.
In the embodiment of FIG. 10, data received from the stylus is transmitted to the iPad across a cable (1030) or other link. In order to couple to the port (1010), the stylus generally physically contacts the dock (or receptacle). In the embodiment of FIG. 10, however, the correlated magnetic structure of the port may repel any stylus (1000) lacking a complementary correlated magnetic pattern. Thus, only those styles previously paired or otherwise authorized with the port may be accepted for data transfer. As yet another option, the mismatch of correlated magnetic structures may be sensed but the force generated may be relatively weak. This may allow the stylus to physically dock but still prevent data transfer through the port.
Perhaps more interesting than that is the concept for using magnets to provide haptic feedback for the virtual keyboards of iDevices. Apple imagines that it can use reprogrammable "coded" magnets and ferrofluids to give users feedback when they press a key on an iDevice's on-screen keyboard. Practically, Apple imagines a way in which it would give back to users the possibility to "feel" the pressed keys and the same concept is presented for computer or laptop keyboards.
As one example, a coded magnet may be activated when a proximity sensor detects a finger approaching a touchpad or other surface capable of detecting a touch... As the finger (or other object) approaches the surface, the proximity sensor's output may activate a coded magnet beneath the portion of the surface about to be impacted. This coded magnet may draw ferrofluid to it, resulting in an upper portion of the surface rising or bulging.
Apple's engineers have been very busy lately and although the ideas are interesting, I don't think we'll see anything in an iDevice anytime soon.
