Recently, Apple, Inc. filled for a new patent that involves the iPhone 6. This new iPhone will looking very different to the current model according to this patent.
" One is for a "curved battery cell" and the other for a "non-rectangular battery". Both patent applications were filed on Oct. 28, 2011. According to the filing, "the curve is formed to facilitate efficient use of space inside a portable electronic device." Although, it should be noted that Apple's filing for curved battery cells use the same pouch mechanism as other curved batteries already on the market. "
What i take from this new patent is not that they filed a patent for a curved battery, but instead they filed two. Why file two. It's likely that they think that filing one patent for a curved battery and one for a "non-rectangular battery battery" they are protecting themselves from both a possible future suit and or infrindgement. Apple has quickly been losing the smartphone battle. This new patent will hopefully give Apple some Intellectual property advantage over its competitors. While a curved battery could be implemented in a device with a more dramatically new design, the non-rectangular battery is something that fits more into what we've already seen from Apple. Apple loves to use tapered edges on devices to make them lighter and seem thinner, so being able to taper the battery could help fit a bigger battery into a tapered design.
Will this patent help apple? Is this the right technique for Apple to use in order to compete? Should Apple be filing for more of these Curved battery patents?
I think that this patent will be useful to Apple going forward as it incorporates a lightweighting design strategy, which reduces cost and makes objects slimmer. Apple seems to be continuously aiming for a slimmer, more well refined iPhone, and will likely continue to iterate on its iPhone design to optimize on this going forward.
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