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Apple is apparently considering a surprise entry into the action camera market, judging by a recently published patent application.
According to the filing, unearthed by the proficient Patently Apple blog, the company fancies a mountable, waterproof device that can be controlled by an iPhone or Apple Watch.
The application profiles a device that can record sound underwater and incorporates an existing patent Apple snapped up from Kodak a couple of years back.
It reads: "In some embodiments, the microphone is capable of recording sounds in air and also in an underwater environment when the digital camera is used to record underwater images.
“In other embodiments, the digital camera includes both a conventional air microphone as well as an underwater microphone (hydrophone) capable of recording underwater sounds."
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All this suggests Apple is planning to move in on the turf of GoPro, the company behind the wildly popular range of Hero action cameras.
Apple even goes as far to criticise the HD Hero2 model for its excessive wind resistance and its susceptibility to damage. Any model to emerge out of Cupertino would feature a streamlined design less vulnerable to wind resistance when mounted to a bike or helmet, the patent explains.
While it should be made clear most patents obtained by the company next come to fruition, today’s news has certainly given GoPro investors the willies.
CNN reports the California-based firm has seen a 10 per cent drop off in shares today.