Apple is alleged to put more emphasis on cameras on its mobile devices, including the iPhone 5, the next generation of the company’s smartphone.
The company has filed a patent application titled “Back Panel for a Portal Electronic Device with Different Camera Lens Options” on Thursday according to U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. The application included a picture that people suspect to be the new smartphone device, although Apple has not verified this rumor.
“A removable panel is coupled to the case and held in a second defined positional relationship to the case that covers the digital imaging subsystem without the removable panel being directly connected to the digital imaging subsystem,” said the abstract of the patent application from Apple.
The rumors of Apple’s next move on its mobile device to battle against rising smartphone models, such as the Android-equipped Samsung Galaxy S3, are spreading on the web, and certainly the replaceable camera lens is receiving wide attention.
Other rumors include the increase of screen size to 4 inches from the original 3.5 inches, supporting the new operating system iOS 6, and metal back casing.
However, it is important to note that not everything a company applies for patent get to be implemented in real products.
Michael Harper, who said patents are more about running a good business than actual implementation, believes Apple could have simply applied this patent for business purpose.
“Apple can file patents for good and bad ideas alike,” said Michael Harper.
“When they release a good product they have the patent for it. If some bonehead somewhere decides to create a product that touches you back, guess who has the patent for it? That's right, Apple. Should this bonehead believe so deeply in his product that he decides to shell out some bucks, Apple gets paid and the bonehead gets his product. It's a win-win, Harper added.
Apple was not really known for its camera specs compared to its competitors. But if the Cupertino-based company comes out with this innovative idea, this could be a game changer for many who wants an Apple experience with a descent photography experience.
While Apple has not mentioned anything about iPhone at its annual developers conference in San Francisco that concluded recently, people suspect a September launch with the iOS 6.
