2) The article https://www.macrumors.com/2022/02/25/apple-explores-mac-insi... links to
3) This other article https://www.patentlyapple.com/patently-apple/2022/02/apple-i... which links to
4) The patent filing https://appft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=...
5) If you would like to review it yourself. As you review it, you will likely find out for yourself why patents are useless and exist only to create monopolies and harm innovation.
I'm not absolutely certain it's a design patent application, actually. I thought it was, but I would very happily be corrected by someone with deeper knowledge, and please please ignore me if I am wrong!
Apple definitely uses patents in some of the same international classes to protect their product designs.
e.g. they are using the international class G06F 1/16 20060101 G06F001/16 for this one, among others.
Here's another Apple patent in that class that seems to cover aspects of the use of in-display cameras (by covering the idea of an extended display area around a notch).
https://uspto.report/patent/app/20190043452
Apple also uses it for very specific design aspects of an accessory keyboard hinge:
https://uspto.report/patent/app/20200301480
Here's an HP laptop-related patent in that class, that seems to cover really very narrow aspects of the design of a laptop enclosure:
https://uspto.report/patent/app/20200381801
And here's a touch panel design for an LG domestic appliance:
https://uspto.report/patent/app/20210048935
Whatever it is about this particular class of patents (whether they become design patents or not) does not seem to really be holding back innovation.
So instead of seeing these used as a "we thought of this whole new thing, you can't make anything remotely like it" patent for a new technology, these are more "these are the minute aspects of our designs that we claim are our work that you shouldn't copy".
It hasn't stopped other manufacturers using a notch, or an in-display camera.
It's more like they are a way to register a design that can be brought up in court when e.g. Apple accuses Samsung of stealing design IP.