When the iPhone 6 finally arrives, what will it look like? A series of patents filed by Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) and uncovered by Patently Apple suggests that it might be covered in liquid metal. Personally, I take most of the patents Apple and other companies file for with a grain of salt because so many of them never see the light of day. After all, you’re allowed to patent an idea without ever actually creating a product and then sue someone later if they come up with something close to your idea even though you never actually followed through with your idea.
But anyway, let’s say these new patents were completed in time for the technology to have made it into the iPhone 6, which most are expecting next year and many by June of next year.
A process for 3D printing
One of the patents filed by Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) involves creating a part from liquid metal. One way involves spraying BMG powder and then fusing it to another layer. The idea basically involves 3D printing to create parts from design data created on a computer. Apple says it can be used to create a telephone “or any communication device” which can be part of a display or some kind of entertainment device.
In other words, this sounds like a sort of all-purpose process for every kind of 3D printing. The process can also be used for just about everything you can imagine. Apple pretty much covered all the bases.
What if the iPhone 6 was made of liquid metal?
Although Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) uses an aluminum backing for the iPhone, users still complain that it breaks too easily. If the iPhone 6 did end up being made from liquid metal, it would be quite a bit stronger.
[drizzle]A recent rumor suggested the iPhone 6 would be have an unbreakable sapphire screen. Needless to say, if the back was unbreakable and so was the screen, then it would be a very strong device, indeed. But I’m sure people will still find ways to accidentally break it.
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