Both next generation iPhone models are likely to come with waterproof capabilities enabled by a “self-healing elastomer” that prevents water from seeping into their internals.
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The description on the application read that “the self-healing elastomer may obscure the electronic connectors from the user as well as provide environmental protection for the connector and the electronic device”, which is fancy talk for saying that water won’t be able to get in.
This new patent fits in with Apple’s recent work on iPhone waterproofing.
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Curiously, the patent in question was actually filed in the summer of a year ago – confirming the fact that Apple has clearly been interested in water-proofing its devices for some time. Word on the street is that the Cupertino-based company will be using this feature as the handset’s selling point. It is an odd rumor especially when you consider that Apple usually pays more attention to the design of its products, as opposed to thinking about ways to protect it and make it more durable (the camera bump is just begging to be scratched). After the user removes the connectors, the special rubber will elastically reform and cover the ports again. It focuses on a rubber port cowl that loses and regains its form – so it will permit a headphone jack to be plugged in however then seal the hole once more as soon as the headphones have been eliminated, for instance. As expected, this patent talks about how Apple could potentially plug any holes in the device like headphone jack or Lightning port. It also owns patents for a different technology that deploys shutters to close the openings over critical components. It is also being said that Apple is developing the A10 processor for its next flagship.
