Apple's Beats brand in April unveiled the Powerbeats Pro, a redesigned wire-free version of its popular fitness-oriented Powerbeats earbuds.
Apple Explores Adding a Lens Mounting System to the iPhone
Apple's granted patents and patent applications over the last couple of months have revealed a significant interest in camera lens systems that attach to the iPhone's existing camera, enhancing its photo taking capabilities much like third-party lens attachment solutions from companies like Olloclip.
In a newly published patent application (via Patently Apple), Apple explores a bayonet lens attachment mechanism to fix a separate lens to an iPhone. Bayonet is a type of pin-based of lens mount that is designed to precisely align the mechanical and electrical features between a lens and a body in a traditional camera, preventing the components from rotating.
According to Apple, this attachment method is superior to other solutions such as a separate case that lenses can be mounted to or a magnetic attachment system that may not be strong enough to keep a lens attached while in motion. Apple describes both a case and a magnetic mount as "undesirable" and "unsightly."
Detachable lenses from third-party manufacturer Olloclip
The application explains in detail how a lens can be mounted to an iPhone or other device through a bayonet attachment, with the iPhone or other device possessing a cavity that the can attach to a lens and the bayonets being located around the aperture of the lens. It also describes quick release methods, should a device with a lens attached by dropped or otherwise damaged.
A drawing of Apple's lens attachment method
Apple has also explored other attachment methods in recent years, including a magnetic lens attachment system that was detailed in a patent granted in January and a similar lens attachment system that worked with a removable back panel used to swap in different lenses, unveiled in 2012.
In a newly published patent application (via Patently Apple), Apple explores a bayonet lens attachment mechanism to fix a separate lens to an iPhone. Bayonet is a type of pin-based of lens mount that is designed to precisely align the mechanical and electrical features between a lens and a body in a traditional camera, preventing the components from rotating.
According to Apple, this attachment method is superior to other solutions such as a separate case that lenses can be mounted to or a magnetic attachment system that may not be strong enough to keep a lens attached while in motion. Apple describes both a case and a magnetic mount as "undesirable" and "unsightly."
The application explains in detail how a lens can be mounted to an iPhone or other device through a bayonet attachment, with the iPhone or other device possessing a cavity that the can attach to a lens and the bayonets being located around the aperture of the lens. It also describes quick release methods, should a device with a lens attached by dropped or otherwise damaged.
Attachment mechanisms are provided. The attachment mechanisms may be configured to couple accessory devices, such as lens devices to an electronic device. For example, a lens may be coupled to the exterior of an electronic device with first and second attachment mechanisms.While there are a range of third-party add-on lenses for the iPhone and the iPad, none of the available solutions are able to use an attachment method as Apple describes due to the fact that such a system would have to be manufactured directly into the iPhone. Instead, they use magnets, cases, or other less than ideal attachment solutions that would be unable to compete with a native solution from Apple, should the company choose to pursue camera enhancements in the form of lens attachments.
Apple has also explored other attachment methods in recent years, including a magnetic lens attachment system that was detailed in a patent granted in January and a similar lens attachment system that worked with a removable back panel used to swap in different lenses, unveiled in 2012.
[ 137 comments ]
Top Rated Comments
(View all)
70 months ago
If anybody was curious about the numbers in the image…
206. Razor-sharp edge
234. Constant shadow, unaffected by any light source
235. Makes a neat sound if you run your finger along it
236. Candy coating
238. Space available for rent
206. Razor-sharp edge
234. Constant shadow, unaffected by any light source
235. Makes a neat sound if you run your finger along it
236. Candy coating
238. Space available for rent
70 months ago
Or another Time-wasting-bait for Samsung, for all we know.
Apple hasn't really done anything substantial for the niche market or the power user for a very long time now, with the sole unapologetic exception of Mac Pro.
Even that seems like an attempt to try and convert Professionals into Prosumers. (Really who does that?? Apple!)
Apple hasn't really done anything substantial for the niche market or the power user for a very long time now, with the sole unapologetic exception of Mac Pro.
Even that seems like an attempt to try and convert Professionals into Prosumers. (Really who does that?? Apple!)
70 months ago
It would be better to add two or three dedicated sensor + lens combinations, and use digital zoom to implement a zoom. Another possibility might be to have a single sensor, and shift two different lenses above it. Right now the lens is around 30mm (equivalent). If we had a second 85mm (equivalent) macro/portrait lens to choose, that would be awesome. I truly believe it would be possible to fit it in the iPhone, if not this year, then next year.
if you EVER have to rely on Digital zoom to get a camera feature, then the camera is bad and designed wrong.
Digital zoom is the devil. DEVIL!
----------
I really can't see Apple doing this with a bayonet. They would be the ones to use magnets, as it doesn't affect the way the device looks. Magnets can be strong as hell for such small objects.
its apple. They'll throw patents at the Patent office for literally anything they think of, Even if they never implement it.
I see this being one of them. Maybe they'll use the idea in some other method, but liklihood you'll never see it.
similar to their NFC patents.... despite never actually using NFC
70 months ago
In other news, Canon and Nikon **** themselves with fear.
Yeah I don't see the DSLR market caring too much about phone cameras.
70 months ago
I really can't see Apple doing this with a bayonet. They would be the ones to use magnets, as it doesn't affect the way the device looks. Magnets can be strong as hell for such small objects.
70 months ago
In other news, Canon and Nikon **** themselves with fear.
No. They don't care at all. People don't choose DSLR's over phones. They choose both. One has no effect on the other. Even hobbyist photographers are going to buy actual cameras. Hell, most parents will buy a camera for shots of their kids. This is in no way any threat to DSLR's.
70 months ago
Does anybody want to buy my Nikon D7100 and 70-300mm VR lens? It's obviously obsolete now!:D
And whoever suggested digital zoom? No just no. It's guaranteed to send your photos to the trash!
And whoever suggested digital zoom? No just no. It's guaranteed to send your photos to the trash!
70 months ago
RAW would be great. I shoot RAW all the time on my proper cameras. I adjust every photo I take on the 5C with Camera+ to get a more accurate white balance. I can shoot a cloudless bright blue sky and it turns out a pale blue/gray color. I took it to the Genius Bar and they found nothing wrong. My older 4S had a better camera.
I tried shooting raw once. The police said I had to go back inside and put clothes on.
70 months ago
.. I have both a Canon and a Nikon, and aside from some minor issues, I'd probably never know the difference....
I had a Nikon DSLR and my father in law bought a canon. He was so impressed with the pictures from my Nikon he ditched the canon and went Nikon. His pictures were still cr*p. Turns out he wasn't a very good photographer
[ Read All Comments ]
Apple Music has renamed its "The A-List: Hip-Hop" playlist to "Rap Life."
Ebro Darden, global editorial head of hip-hop and R&B at Apple Music, will host a companion...
Samsung is believed to be Apple's exclusive supplier of OLED displays for iPhones, but it may have company soon.
In a research note shared with MacRumors, Barclays analysts said fellow...
1Password has restored the option for customers who originally purchased its iOS app to create a local vault during setup, after users queued up online to voice their frustrations with the fact that...
Apple is planning to open an office in highly desired location in Vancouver, Canada reports Bloomberg. The company has leased space in a 24-story office building at 400 West Georgia owned by...
Elevation Lab, known for its line of popular iPhone charging docks, today released the FamilyCharger, a multi-charging setup designed to allow you to charge all of your devices in one place.
The...
Apple today seeded the third beta of an upcoming macOS Catalina update to its public beta testing group, two weeks after seeding the second public beta and a day after seeding the fourth developer...
Apple today seeded the third beta of an upcoming tvOS 13 update to its public beta testing group, two weeks after seeding the second public beta and day after seeding the fourth developer beta of...
Apple today began selling an updated version of the Rotor Riot wired game controller for iPhone and iPad through its online store. The new model features a redesigned directional pad, a built-in...
