A recent patent application uncovered by AppleInsider depicts and new Apple iPhone case and likely successor to the minimalistic "Bumper."
The patent in question depicts a rather uninspiring case that appears to be the average form-fitting affair with a small hole on the bottom cut out for the microphone with a mesh cover to reduce wind noise and improve call quality. The mesh screen would also prevent dirt, moisture and other things that mess up electronics from affecting the mics quality.
The patent itself is rather broad in its description allowing Apple to release numerous variations made out different materials like rubber, silicon, acrylic, plastic, and polycarbonate. Nothing innovative or new is included in the patent, but potentially the most damning aspect is the fact Appler was able to patent a specific case, as well as the features of that case. None of the ideas patented are new, but Apple might be the first to own patents on the features, and could potentially leverage them in court.
Hopefully this patent does not result in Apple suing case makers for including wind-screens and other basic features into their designs. The accessory market is too large, and too vast with too many small, medium, and large players for Apple to invest resources in suing them all. I hope.
Source: AppleInsider
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