Apple imagines an iPhone case that triggers UI for gaming, photography, more

Apple has published a patent regarding iPhone cases and docks that support near-field wireless communication systems. According to Patently Apple, this accessory would significantly alter the operation and user interface (UI) of the iPhone.

For instance, when put into a sport-focused protective case, the iPhone may automatically replace its graphical interface with one that is sport-focused. The iPhone may also change the UI when placed in a speaker dock.

The iPhone will adapt its UI when it is placed in one of the cases or docks. This new graphical interface will be even simpler than the standard iPhone interface.

The patent includes figures that show an iPhone seated in a Car Dock. (This could be in an Apple Car?) Apple released a patent last Wednesday that indicated the vehicle would be able to use its iPhone as self-driving inputs. Per the patent, when you insert the iPhone, CarPlay and Maps replace its standard UI.

The figure below illustrates a case for a camera that has UI focused on the camera and one that focuses on gaming, with an extra button to enable gaming.

9to5Mac’s Take

I like the patent idea. It’s hard to imagine what this would look like in person. It does look cool, and I would love to see it in person. There are so many purposes various UIs Apple could create – it’d be exciting to see what it does. Do you like an iPhone stand or case that changes the UI? Would you use one?