Could APPLE be working on a SHATTERPROOF iPhone?

Could cracked iPhone screens be a thing of the past?

APPLE has filed a new patent that could make CRACKED iPhone screens a thing of the past.

 

Apple has just filed a patent that could put an end to the misery suffered by butterfingered iPhone owners.

Despite the best efforts of phonemakers, innovations like Corning Gorilla Glass can’t completely protect your precious handset from a fatal drop.

But it seems like Apple is cooking up something that’s straight out science fiction.

The Cupertino company recently made an application for something it describes as “Active screen protection for electronic device”. 

 

Apple has filed a patent to protect your screen

Shatterproof is not a challenge

Protection will be achieved via a hidden bumper mechanism that will activate automatically when the device senses a fall.

These bumpers, or “tabs”, as referred to in the patent application, are powered by one or more motors and will retract and extend when the phone’s onboard sensors detect a drop.

Drops are detected by the accelerometers, gyroscopes, inertial sensors, motion sensors, and cameras present within the iPhone.

The tabs may be formed from various flexible or rigid materials. The patent lists plastic and metals as possible options.

The shock-absorbing tabs will only retract once your iPhone sensors have detected the threat has passed.

 

A cross-sectional view of the mechanism

 

Protection is achieved via a hidden bumper mechanism

 

You needn’t worry that the new protective measure will add unsightly bulk to your sleek handset either.

The bumpers will retract so they’re “flush to the unit”.

However as this is only a patent, there is no guarantee that Apple will ever implement this new protective measure.

But if this shatterproof technology does ever see the light of day, its uses could be far-reaching. The patent allows Apple to build the protection into tablets, laptops, and wearables too.