Important role of the 3 little dots on the back of every iPad most people won't even notice
The Big Five of Amazon, Apple, Meta (Facebook), Microsoft, and Alphabet (Google) dominate the tech scene, and chances are, you might be reading this very article on one of their devices right now.
Out of all of them, Apple has been in the spotlight the most recently. While CEO Tim Cook promised to show off the future of the tech giant, the Worldwide Developers Conference 2025 got something of a frosty reception. As well as being accused of being behind the times when compared to Google with the long-awaited addition of Call Screening and Hold Assist, the Liquid Glass UI update was panned by many.
After a stumble with the delayed release of Apple Intelligence with iOS 18, and no sign of the long-awaited Siri 2.0 overhaul, Apple has been slammed for putting style over substance. Still, the company continues to innovate with new versions of the iPhone, iPad, and MacBook forcing us to regularly part with our dollars.
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Many of us use Apple products on a daily basis, but look a little closer at your iPad and you might spot an unexpected feature that you've probably never thought about before.
Some are questioning what the three dots on the back of an iPad are supposed to be used for, and in typical Apple style, every design choice is there for a reason. Known as pogo pins, Apple refers to this as a Smart Connector. Pogo pins are spring-loaded pins that press against metal contacts and create a stable connection. Importantly, the iPad's Smart Connector allows you to connect accessories without having to rummage around in a drawer or untangle all those wires. Finding the right adapter is largely a thing of the past thanks to the new USB-C regulations, but still, the iPad's Smart Connector will let you attach the likes of your Magic Keyboard with ease.
First introduced alongside the first iPad Pro in September 2015, the Smart Connector was later added to the 3rd-generation iPad Air and 7th-generation iPad. Currently, only the iPad Mini is missing out on a Smart Connector.
The problem is, Apple moving its Smart Connector over the years has led to a slow uptake from third-party manufacturers. Aside from Logitech and Brydge, many have turned their nose up due to a high price and wait time for the components needed to make Smart Connector-compatible accessories.
Despite a sometimes unpredictable release schedule, Apple tends to work in an 18-month cycle when it comes to the iPad Pro. As the current M4 iPad Pro landed in May 2024, several reports have claimed the new M5 iPad Pro could be out before the end of the year. At least you'll finally know what those three dots are for.