Apple recently filed a patent application for a heart sensor built in to an iPhone casing that would serve as a biometric security device.
That sounds straight out of science-fiction, but it's just another day at the Apple patent factory. Apple is constantly filing new patents for awesome-sounding new technology. Some of that tech ends up as terrific, real-life gadgets; much of it never comes to anything.
There are too many patent applications flowing out of Cupertino to keep track of easily. Fortunately, there's Patently Apple, a blog dedicated exclusively to monitoring Apple innovation. We pulled 15 of the coolest, craziest gadget concepts Apple has been playing with over the past few months.
"iTrainer":
(http://i39.tinypic.com/2ilj76e.jpg)
This system for the iPod would sense what stage of your workout you were in, and increase or decrease the tempo of your music to motivate you
"iBeam":
(http://i44.tinypic.com/e9c8eo.jpg)
It's not a laptop or a desktop; this projector-based "desk-free" computer would be a category unto itself
"iSpecs":
(http://i41.tinypic.com/ra1dvm.jpg)
Display goggles for video content from a mini iPhone or iPod
"iRemote":
(http://i40.tinypic.com/25tw2s1.jpg)
Turn your iPhone into a remote control for just about everything
"iTravel":
(http://i41.tinypic.com/2q9xapk.jpg)
It could be the one stop app for traveling with the iPhone.
"iCharge":
(http://i40.tinypic.com/a0yqmc.jpg)
A laptop with built-in solar panels! (And no, Jason Calacanis didn't make this up)
"iWidget":
(http://i39.tinypic.com/wism85.jpg)
These 3D widgets would react differently depending on which side of them a user clicked
"iShow":
(http://i42.tinypic.com/1z4ztzn.jpg)
Projectors built in to laptops!
"iShoe":
(http://i44.tinypic.com/51wup3.jpg)
The "smart garment" system links your iPod to your clothing
"iCase":
(http://i44.tinypic.com/51wup3.jpg)
That heartbeat sensor is just one example of the wild smart phone casings Apple is working on
"iKillbarrydiller":
(http://i39.tinypic.com/mubimh.jpg)
If Apple builds its own ticketing app, a bunch of developers are screwed
"iGamer":
(http://i43.tinypic.com/24lrh9l.jpg)
Is Apple getting into gaming?
"iDell":
(http://i41.tinypic.com/158020n.jpg)
A "modular desktop computer" in tower form; Mac is patenting the PC?
"iSmudge":
(http://i39.tinypic.com/dfhwkx.jpg)
Is touchscreen coming to the MacBook and/or Mac desktops?
"iZapper":
(http://i42.tinypic.com/14ybd43.jpg)
A point-of-purchase system for the iPhone using near field communications