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Hardware News Patents

Apple files patent for self-healing materials to be used in devices

This could potentially turn into something extremely cool and useful. An Apple patent application on Thursday suggests a method of portable device weatherproofing that buries sensitive electrical device contacts beneath a layer of self-healing elastomer, allowing connectors to penetrate without leaving lasting aesthetic or structural damage. The patent, entitled “Electronic device with hidden connector” details […]

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Hardware iPad iPhone News Patents

Apple patent application highlights active shutter system to protect devices from spills, contaminants

Somewhere down the line, this could really come in handy. An Apple patent application published Thursday describes a powered shutter system that automatically blocks access to speaker, microphone and other iPhone and iPad port openings, protecting the sensitive components within. The patent application, known as Apple’s “Electronic devices with housing port shutters” application, describes a […]

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Hardware iPhone News Patents

Recent patent shows Apple’s exploration into fuel cell-based devices with weeklong battery lives

This could lead to some extremely cool stuff. A patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on Thursday shows that Apple is looking into using hydrogen fuel cell technology to power its portable devices. Text and diagrams depict not only a fuel cell stack for generating power, but related aspects like connections with […]

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Hardware iPhone News Patents Pictures

Apple patent shows potential use of shifting mirrors to help camera/optical stability

When in doubt, use mirrors. A recently published patent application posted on the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office web site shows that Apple has revealed a new concept that would offer improved optical image stabilization using mirrors. The patent, entitled “Mirror Tilt Actuation,” describes an image sensor for small, multifunction devices like an iPhone that […]

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Hardware News Patents Wearables

Apple panics GoPro stock price with recently-released wearable camera patent

Wearable camera maker GoPro’s stocks took a 12 percent dive yesterday as a result of Apple expressing an interest in its market. Per Macworld and PatentlyApple, an Apple patent application for a wearable camera was approved, the end result sending GoPro’s stock price tumbling. The application itself details a GoPro-like wearable perfect for action shots […]