Apple is known for revolutionizing the phone, music player, and personal computer, but their next innovation may not be so, well, glamorous.
AppleInsider is reporting that Apple has filed a patent that will revolutionize...the box. No, no, this isn’t any ordinary box. Apparently, this box, which will be packaging for Apple hardware, will allow the devices enclosed within them to receive firmware updates, software updates, and power, via an integrated wireless network interface and some power supply. The box is called “active packaging,” but we can only imagine it would be called something more snazzy, like iBox, by the time it is rolled out (if ever).
The iBox, unfortunately, would not be for individual use. Rather, it would be implemented in the stores, where currently, the products are held in place by a polymer backing. As a result, the wireless interface, coupled with a bunch of other sensors, would allow the devices to display advertisements, interact with one another with respect to their location, and transmit messages to your brain without you knowing it (all of those are mentioned in the filing except for the last one, but we all know the real reason why the iBox was invented).
As always with patents, there is no release date, or even confirmation that such a product will be released. It just pleases us that it is a technological possibility.
