Document seems to reveal a Microsoft built Touch Cover for the Apple iPad

Microsoft debuted the Surface Touch Cover in 2012. A combination cover/QWERTY, the accessory protected the tablet while at the same time it provided a flat, formless keyboard to help users type faster on the Surface tablet. But a flat typing surface was not good enough for most, so Microsoft came up with the Surface Type Cover. The Type Cover comes with buttons and keys making it more of a legitimate QWERTY keyboard for Surface users. And yes, it can double as a cover.

Microsoft now produces only the Type Cover for Surface users, but it doesn't appear that the Touch Cover is going away. A Microsoft report leaked today cites information about the transportation of Lithium batteries, and mentions a product from Microsoft called the iPad Touch Cover. Listed as model number 1719, the battery used with the iPad Touch Cover measures .814 watt hours per cell. That is equivalent to what you might find in those button cells found on glucometers and hearing aids. And ironically, Logitech's keyboard case for the iPad uses a similar battery button as well.

The thought is that Microsoft is going to sell a Touch Cover for the lower priced Apple iPad models. Since the iPad Pro uses a "Smart Connector" that plugs accessories directly into the tablet, we expect the crew in Redmond to stick to the lower end of the iOS tablet range. For Microsoft, offering a Touch Cover for the iPad could allow it to include a dedicated Cortana key to open the iOS app for the virtual assistant. Additionally, certain Office features could be set up to be a single tap away from opening. So far, there has been no word about this from the guys in Redmond.


source: WinFuture (translated) via WindowsCentral