Just over a month ago a patent had been made public by Apple that explains camera innovation for a future iPhone, which could even end up in the 2012 iPhone, although there has been no confirmation of this. The patent, number 20120147193, explains a removable rear iPhone cover that would include optical elements. This could lead to an iPhone accessory with a mechanical shutter, image stabilization, optical zoom, and a lot more.
We saw the iPad 2/3 receive innovation in the form of a cover that attached magnetically, and we could see further innovation with the iPhone 5 that Apple could offer in a new accessory, which attaches to the back of the new iPhone. You can read the patent abstract below and more details on the official patent website here.
Would you like the iPhone 5 to feature a 3D or optical zoom camera? This patent certainly hints at a feature that would offer this accessory for a future iPhone, although as with all patents it doesn’t mean Apple will ever use this technology.
