Apple's next iOS 7 big tablet, the iPad 5, promises to deliver better productivity and provide highly efficient navigational features thanks to a newly approved patent and the very popular Google Map.

U.S. authorities gave its nod this week on an Apple invention that would enable iPad users to access 'virtual drafting tools' like ruler, protractor, compass, stencil tools and in the near future - a stylus, Patently Apple said in a report.

Seen as one of the new applications that Apple will lump with the fully-revamped iOS 7, this CAD-based designing tool involves advanced multi-touch screen manipulation, bringing computer-aided tasks from desktop to mobile devices.

The most suitable platform, of course, would be the 9.7-inch iPad though Apple does not discount the possibility of adding CAD-like features to the iPad Mini model, which sports a 7.9-inch profile.

According to Apple, CAD and other drafting programs and functions would be easily ported to iPads through multi-touch display screen implementation.

When in use, the tool will allow users to "resize, scale, or make other adjustments (on a specific design project) with full gesture support," Apple Insider said on its report.

The beauty of the soon-to-be-introduced Apple app is it fully supports the use of numerous virtual tools, allowing users to "invoke a ruler, protractor and t-square, interacting with each simultaneously." Additionally, these tools can be customised depending on users' preferences or actual project requirements.

Adding to this likely iPad 5 application is another tool, coming this time from another tech titan - Google.

The company's version 2.0 of the Google Maps is released this week for the iOS crowd, specifically supporting the screen size of the iPad and iPad Mini.

In the new serving, Google highlighted the application's "enhanced navigation with incident reports and live traffic updates," 9to5Mac said in a report.

"The update also includes indoor mapping functionality for malls, transit stations and airports," the Apple-centric tech site added.

And the best part is, global rollout of Google Maps has already commence so those in the iOS system can try out the navigational tool prior to its optimal deployment for the iOS 7-powered fifth-generation iPad.

Analysts pegged the iPad 5 release date this fall or shortly after the iPhone 5S issuance, placing the now slimmed down and lighter Apple tablet's debut between late September and early October.