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":
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":
It's not a laptop or a desktop; this projector-based "desk-free" computer would be a category unto itself
"iSpecs":
Display goggles for video content from a mini iPhone or iPod
"iRemote":
Turn your iPhone into a remote control for just about everything
"iTravel":
It could be the one stop app for traveling with the iPhone.
"iCharge":
A laptop with built-in solar panels! (And no, Jason Calacanis didn't make this up)
"iWidget":
These 3D widgets would react differently depending on which side of them a user clicked
"iShow":
Projectors built in to laptops!
"iShoe":
The "smart garment" system links your iPod to your clothing
"iCase":
That heartbeat sensor is just one example of the wild smart phone casings Apple is working on
"iKillbarrydiller":
If Apple builds its own ticketing app, a bunch of developers are screwed
"iGamer":
Is Apple getting into gaming?
"iDell":
A "modular desktop computer" in tower form; Mac is patenting the PC?
"iSmudge":
Is touchscreen coming to the MacBook and/or Mac desktops?
"iZapper":
A point-of-purchase system for the iPhone using near field communications
