The Apple Patents Which Didn’t Make The iPhone 3G

Everyone knows Apple as an innovative company, one which employs the creative elite. However, when it comes to business, the creatives are always governed by executives. And although some ideas are brilliant and cool, they aren’t always productive as far as business goes.

That being said, Apple has hundreds of extremely cool patents, most of which never made it to actuality. This list cites each and every mobile phone related patent which never made it to the iPhone 3G.

You’ll read some of these patents and say, “Damn you Steve Jobs – I want that!” While with some others, you’ll think “What was Apple smoking when they filed that patent?”

Apple Shaped Phone

Filed in 1985, the literally apple shaped mobile phone is as hard to believe as it would’ve been hard to use. But it’s alright Apple, everyone makes mistakes in their youth – atleast the patent never actualized.

[click to enlarge]

iPhone Lanyard

Apple has patented the lanyard, or should I say “ornamental harness” (euphamism of the year award nominee). It simply has a male iPod/iPhone dock.

The patent (US Patent Office Official Site).

Simplified Cell Phone With Clicking Wheel

Apple, please keep the clickwheel on the iPod only – we’re fine with doing everything on the iPhone’s touch screen.

The patent (US Patent Office Official Site)

Pressure Sensitive Touch Screen

This would’ve been extremely sweet. Just think of the possibilties this would bring to iPhone games.

Solar Cells on Portable Devices

According to this patent, Apple would completely cover a device (MacBook, iPod, iPhone) with solar panels, and cover them with an LCD layer and glass. A brilliant idea – but probably not efficient to for both the consumer and Apple.

The patent (US Patent Office Official Site)

Text to Speech Messaging

The idea is such: you send a text message, then Apple converts it to audio and renders language, and then an automated voice reads the message outloud.

The proposed use is for blind people or devices with very small screens.

Vertical and Horizontal iPhone Dock

The dock displayed in this patent would allow you to charge/connect your iPhone via a dock while standing vertically or horizontally – probably so you could view videos in landscape mode while your iPhone charged.

Could’ve came in useful, but a port down the side of the iPhone would’ve looked ugly.

The patent (US Patent Office Official Site)

Multiple Orientation Rotatable iPhone Dock

This dock would prop your iPhone up like a monitor, and allow you to rotate it around on an axis (also for video purposes).

The patent (US Patent Office Official Site)

Laser Head-Mounted Eyeglass Display

Now this is just too much. These Apple eyeglasses connect to your iPhone or some kind of an intermediary device, and allow you to view images full screen right in front of your eyes for the ultimate HD experience.

I wonder why Apple decided not to go forth with this.

The patent (US Patent Office Official Site)

iPod Audio Navigation

This would’ve been a great feature for your iPod / iPhone’s iPod half. The idea is to be able to control your iPod by speaking to it in order to keep your attention on the road while driving.

The patent (US Patent Office Official Site)

Video Conferencing

Although there wasn’t an exclusive video conferencing via mobile device patent, Apple included video conferencing as one of the features of this patent on a “Portable Multifunction Device”.

iPhone Flip Phone

No comment.

iPhone Anti-Theft System

The idea here is clever, although it won’t get you your iPhone back. If your iPhone were stolen, you would call Apple and give them your serial number, and Apple would implement a timer. Once the timer runs out, the iPhone will not be rechargable.

The thief will still have your iPhone – but atleast he won’t be able to use it. But don’t forget, your iPhone has GPS for easy tracking (all you need now is a ninja-for-hire).

“Normal use and enjoyment of the device can be significantly reduced by disabling the recharger.” – Apple

iPhone Keyboards

These are all the keyboards that didn’t make it.

Dropped Call Warning System

The idea is such: the phone would know if it was about to lose service and drop a call, so it would give you a heads up 10 seconds or so ahead of time so you could warn the person you’re speaking to (in your case, your mother).