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Hardware iPhone News Patents

Apple patent focuses on wired/wireless headphones

This could turn into something nifty. An Apple patent application published Thursday suggests that the company is continuing work on a Lightning-equipped audio product some expect will replace wired EarPods if and when iPhone ships without a 3.5mm headphone jack. The patent, entitled “Audio class-compliant charging accessories for wireless headphones and headsets” details a headphone […]

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News Patents

Patent application hints at greater use, functionality for Touch ID button

This could lead to something interesting. A recently published patent application describes how the Touch ID home button could gain additional functionality, allowing it to perform different actions in response to different fingerprints, as well as adding pressure sensors to provide it with 3D Touch type functionality. The patent hints at how it might allow […]

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Hardware iPhone News Patents

Apple patent suggests move away from 3.5mm headphone jack, towards Bluetooth or Lightning connector, for next-gen iPhone

As frightening as the idea of an iPhone without the headphone jack may be, a recently published Apple patent suggests that the idea may be fairly likely. A new patent awarded to Apple on Monday suggests that Apple may convert from the classic 3.5mm headphone jack to Lightning and Bluetooth. The patent seemingly describes a […]

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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 […]