Using your iPhone in the rain or taking pictures underwater could become much easier thanks to this technology that Apple is working on.
A new patent from Apple tells us more about an interesting technology the Californian company is working on. This is about a new interface that would change when the iPhone screen is in contact with water. A “wet mode” and an “underwater” mode that could change the way we use the brand’s smartphones.
The iPhone would change interface on contact with water
All smartphone users have experienced the problems that touchscreens can cause when they get wet. This happens regularly when you want to use it in the rain. The screen no longer responds or very badly, which makes the device more complicated to use.
Aware of this problem, a new patent from Apple presents an adaptive interface that would change the layout as well as the size of the buttons displayed on the screen when the latter is in contact with water. We are talking here about splashing, rain, but also immersion under water while using the camera.
The objective here is to eliminate “false positives” which would operate the touch screen by mistake. This would involve moving or removing touch keys, but also a new way of interacting with the screen using pressure, similar to what Apple is doing with its Force Touch and 3D Touch technology. Concretely, it would be necessary to press more or less strongly on the screen according to the level of the quantity of water which is in contact with the screen.
An “underwater” mode for filming underwater
Apple’s patent presents a real-world case that showcases the iPhone’s camera that could operate in three modes: “dry”, “wet” and “underwater”. Each mode would then have a dedicated interface.
In “dry” mode, the phone works in the classic way. In “wet” mode, some camera features would be disabled. Finally, in “underwater” mode, all the usual controls are removed to make way for two large buttons for taking photos or videos. As you will not have access to the settings in this last mode, the phone would take care of using the best settings for photographing or filming underwater.
We also notice a display of the depth at which the phone is located, so as not to exceed the acceptable limit. As a reminder, all three iPhone 13 models are IP68 waterproof certification for immersion resistance up to 6 meters for 30 minutes.
Changing the software interface can be confusing for users, but offering the ability to use your phone in conditions that until now have been very difficult could give future iPhones an advantage if this technology comes to fruition.
Source :
USPTO