We might not see all (or any) of the gadgets that Apple engineers came up with in 2014, but they all got protected under patents. Here are some of the things on Apple’s R&D wish list. First off is a computer mouse that also works as a scanner. Then there’s a smartphone that has the ability to move itself through the air in the event of a drop to avoid landing face-first. Another is a special coating that will keep devices dry even when they get spilled on.
During 2014, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office granted 2,003 utility patents to Apple. These recognize new and useful processes and machines. That is a 13 percent increase over 2013 and more than three times the 2010 level.
This increase in patents is as a result of Apple putting $6 billion into R&D labs in 2014, which suggests the tech giant is looking for its next group of moneymaking products.
