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Apple is going to waterproof an upcoming iPhone handset, or it’s considering it at the very least.
A patent filing (via 9to5mac) reveals the company is interested in developing a method of waterproofing the components of ‘computing devices’.
The patent was filed last year, but was only published today, so Apple could be well under way on the project in terms of R&D.
So what has Apple actually applied to patent? Well instead of just waterproofing the casing of a device, Apple wants to actually waterproof the internal components.
It would achieve this by integrating a hydrophobic (read: repels water) coating with the electromagnetic interference shields that are used to protect electronics in a device.
This means the actual design of the iPhone wouldn’t need to be compromised by waterproofing efforts, because all the hard work would be done out of sight.
Related: iPhone 6S release date
That’s not true for the rest of the smartphone market unfortunately. Take the Sony Xperia Z3, for instance, which requires rubber flaps over its ports to keep water out.
Other manufacturers, including long-time Apple rival Samsung, have also dabbled in waterproofing devices, so it’s clearly a worth addition to a device’s roster of features.
This isn’t the first time Apple has shown interest in waterproofing gadgets either; Tim Cook has already confirmed that the Apple Watch will be shower-proof, at the very least.
Of course, Apple might only have patented this technology as a safety precaution, and may never actually incorporate the technology into a device.
Could we see a waterproofed iPhone 6S? Head to the comments and let us know…