Apple's long-rumored large-screen iPad could arrive with an accessory that co-founder Steve Jobs publically bashed on more than one occasion: a stylus.
In a recent report on the matter obtained by Apple Insider, KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said he believes Apple will launch a stylus during the second quarter of this year for its iPad Plus. His prediction appears to be solely based on numerous stylus-related patents filed by Apple over the past several years.
Typically, Kuo's predictions are based on Apple's supply chain partners but that isn't the case this time.
Given that it's more precise than a person's finger, Kuo wrote, a stylus can be more convenient to use than the combination of keyboard and mouse in some cases. He added that because most users likely won't need it initially, it'll be introduced as an optional add-on instead of an out-of-the-box accessory.
The analyst also believes that including a stylus would further raise the price of what is already expected to be a pricy slate.
As for the stylus itself, Kuo doesn't expect the first model to feature a ton of bells and whistles. Later models, however, could include features like a gyroscope or accelerometer to enable 3D handwriting capabilities.
Kuo has a fairly reliable - albeit not perfect - track record as it pertains to unannounced Apple products. He most recently nailed some key specifications of the iPhone 6 before it was announced.