iPhone 5 Release Date: New Features to Include Fire-Proof Technology
The highly anticipated iPhone 5 is expected to be a techie's dream, but may also be a firefighter's dream as the upcoming smartphone is rumored to be fireproof.
Reports indicate that among the many specs rumored to be on the iPhone 5 one special feature will be that it will have a fireproof exterior made of flame retardant material that has been developed especially for Apple.
“Patently Apple” reported in June that the company had filed a patent for halogen-free flame retardant material. The U.S. Patent & Trademark Office published the patent application on June 16.
"Apple's invention provides for a halogen free resin composition that includes at least one thermoplastic polymer, an inorganic filler and a flame retardant additive that is described as being self-fire extinguishable," the blog wrote.
According to Patently Apple, fireproof devices solve the problem of the 10 percent of fires that are caused by electrical faults of wiring and electrical equipment. Another 19 percent of fire-related injuries are attributed to faults in wiring and equipment.
The iPhone 5 is being called a "World phone" due to its speculated compatibility with both GSM and CDMA networks.
Currently, the iPhone 5 is expected to have various specs such as an iOS 5 upgrade and a high-resolution 8MP camera as well as a tear drop shape, a larger screen and a thinner, rounder body.
Whether or not the smartphone will support 4G or 4G LTE networks is still unknown, but many industry analysts suggest that it will not.
Apple is expected to host a conference on October 4 where new CEO Tim Cook will finally divulge the release date of the iPhone 5; most rumors about the smartphone will most likely be confirmed or denied at the conference.