Apple received approval for a patent this week that might lead to future weatherproof devices. Although the company filed its patent back in June, it only received approval this week. The paperwork centers on "self-healing elastomer" or rubber that can lose and regain its shape to keep the sensitive inner-workings of a device protected. The patent explains that this rubber seal on external jacks, like one for headphones or a power cord, would open up when a plug is inserted. Once it's removed, the covering will reshape and go back to protecting the device's opening.
Some varieties of the elastomer can protect against dust, debris, water, and gas, among other crazy environmental things, so you soon might be able to take a sick dust storm selfie without annihilating your iPhone.
Other companies already use waterproof ports on their devices. Sony's Z5, for instance, and the Samsung Galaxy S6 Active, both have waterproofed headphone and power ports that don't require special covers.
While Apple's new patent doesn't necessarily mean users will get a fully water-resistant device any time soon, Apple does hold a patent for a waterproof logicboard; there's a spongy black material around the circuitry for its protection. Both the iPhone 6S and iPhone 6S Plus are built with those logicboards. Even still, the devices aren't fully waterproof, although they're more resistant to water than prior iPhones.
Source :The Verge
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