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Patent issues suggested as explaining bulging design of Apple’s Smart Battery Case

mophie

A lot of us have been wondering how it was that Apple’s design team went off the rails when designing the new iPhone Smart Battery Case. Nilay Patel at The Verge, has now put forward one possible explanation: Apple had to find a way to avoid infringing the patents of the market leader in battery cases, Mophie …

Patel’s argument is that Mophie has a whole set of patents that cover the most obvious ways of designing a battery case that doesn’t suck. These include design patents describing the visual form. One patent, for example, covers a rounded back which – somewhat ironically – resembles that of the original iPhone.

Others describe various approaches to two-part cases.

Mophie has an entire suite of patents on this kind of two-part design — here’s #8,971,039, which covers a slight variation of a two-piece design in which the top part slides over an extended piece of the bottom part. There’s also any number of design patents at play here; virtually every popular Mophie case has a design patent on its ornamental, nonfunctional elements. (For example, newer Mophie cases have a detachable bottom part; the company has design patents on that variation.)

The weakness in the argument is that there is no shortage of competitors out there with designs similar to Mophie. Patel argues these are too small for the company to pursue, while Apple’s exceedingly deep pockets would make it an obvious target. But those deep pockets also could buy the best legal team.

One other factor that may have played into Apple’s decision. The one downside of Mophie’s approach is it makes the entire unit look extremely thick. Apple’s design does at least reveal that there’s a slim phone in there somewhere. When only a minority of customers will want a battery case at all, Apple may take the view that it’s more important what potential Android switchers think of the phone than the case.

Incidentally, Apple isn’t the only company to have opted for the “bulge” approach – HTC did something similar with the Droid Incredible 2 – and arguably made a worse job of it with the camera lens and flash within the bulge.

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Comments

  1. Inaba-kun (@Inaba_kun) - 8 years ago

    Apple’s design does appear to have come off the rails of late. The iPhone 6 is pig ugly, with the world’s largest antenna breaks all over the back and a bland design so rounded as to be completely forgettable (and impossible to hold securely). It’s a far cry from the iPhone 4. The Apple Watch resembles some sort of 1980s throw back with a big black square screen, no design flair at all (a real crime for a watch of all things), and it’s oddly fat, obese even, for an Apple device. And now we have this hideous case abomination which would be dismissed as a joke were it from some unknown peripheral manufacturer.

    Maybe Jony Ive is on an extended holiday somewhere.

    • RP - 8 years ago

      I completely agree. After all of these years of hard earned work to gain the reputation of excellence can be quickly undone and forgotten with junk like this. A great reputation is only as great as your last work. Apple is pushing into mediocrity territory fast.

    • Rich Davis (@RichDavis9) - 8 years ago

      The new Magic Mouse is proof that Jony Ive is on “extended holiday somewhere”, or he’s simply spending too much with interviews with the media. I use the old Magic Mouse and I have a Mobee wireless charging battery where the battery is easily replaceable. Same with a wireless keyboard and track pad. So, I’ve had something that’s better than what Apple came out with. I only wish the battery locking mechanism was a better design on the older Magic Mouse so that the Mobee rechargeable battery was a little more secure.

      They built in the battery to where it’s near impossible to replace the rechargeable battery, and they stick a lightning port underneath so you can’t even use the Magic Mouse when it’s plugged in to be recharged, at least stick the connector at the bottom of the device so that people can still use it as a wired mouse. Duh! Otherwise, the original design was fine, and just buy the Mobee battery charging. Or Apple could have offered to buy out Mobee and design a really slick version. I think the Magic Mouse needs to be redesigned from a shape perspective because the edges of the mouse are a little on the sharp side and they kind of gouge into my hand a little and it’s not that comfortable for extended periods of time.

      • srgmac - 8 years ago

        I also don’t know why they did that — Making the battery rechargeable is great, but it also has to be user replaceable!

    • crichton007 - 8 years ago

      I think you’re being overly critical here. I don’t think the iPhone 6/6S looks as good as the iPhone 5/5S but I can’t remember any other product I think looked as good.

      As far as the watch is concerned I don’t think it is big enough. I tried one on and one of my key complaints is that I don’t think it is big enough.

      To be sure even though I think other Apple products have looked better these aren’t bad. If you;r not a fan of the antenna bands then plan on using a case or put some tape over them or something.

    • srgmac - 8 years ago

      What I don’t understand is, why not team up with Mophie or someone else who already has beautifully designed battery cases…Why make it themselves? Do they really need the profits for a CASE that only a few people are going to use THAT badly?

  2. nelmat - 8 years ago

    I really quite like the Apple designed case. This is design, like or dislike – it’s subjective. Why add all the bulk of case you picture just for aesthetics – it adds unnecessary size and weight. Personally I won’t be buying one, my battery gets me through the day comfortably.

  3. rogifan - 8 years ago

    I’ve never seen so many articles over a stupid battery case. Good grief!

  4. cdm283813 - 8 years ago

    I do agree that it would be wrong for any phone OEM to copy a battery case design but I find it more disturbing that you create a such a ugly beast of a case and charge more than all battery case manufactures minus mophie and lifeproof.
    And why would you guys show the HTC phone? That was part of the original design years ago. Even dumb phones before that had bulging designs with their battery packs. Are you guys saying that Apple is going backwards in design or are you trying to say that because others have done it that it’s ok for Apple to do the same?
    Bottom line is that with all the money in the world they couldn’t design a game changing case. Or why design a case to begin with. Why not present a Apple Store only upgrade that replaces the stock battery with a larger one and matching rear cover to fit. Would have taken care of that camera bulge and actually make it recessed to prevent damage. That would have been worth $100 and does not step on the toes of these battery case OEM’s. Is there really a difference in offering a battery case vs offering a bigger internal battery? If the Apple Store can replace batteries they can upgrade the battery as well. Either way you’re saying that battery life sucks. To me that would have been a more respectable approach.

  5. rafterman11 - 8 years ago

    Another case of patent overreach. The patent office needs to stop patenting every stray thought a company has.

    • Rich Davis (@RichDavis9) - 8 years ago

      The Patent Office isn’t there to decide if it’s a good patent design or not. They are merely there to essentially legalize ownership of an original design, etc. that hasn’t been submitted before as a form of ownership. The Copyright Office is kind of similar in that if you submit a song, they aren’t there to decide if it’s a good song or not, they are there to simply validate ownership of the music/lyrics of a song to the original writer(s) that submit it. And in the case of Copyright office, people can and have sued for having songs that were similar enough even though they were both registered with the Copyright Office. Same thing with Patents.

      In order to get a patent, there has to be paperwork that describes the idea to be patented and it’s up to the Patent Office to decide if it’s worthy enough to be patentable, not by if it’s a good enough design, but if there is something that’s unique enough to warrant issuing a patent.

      Here’s a link to the Patent Office. They explain it in much further detail.

      Obviously, the Patent Office can issue patents that can be contested, and yes, they have issued patents that they later retracted from a lawsuit of a party contesting the validity of a patent. It rarely happens, but it has happened before.

      http://www.uspto.gov/patents-getting-started/general-information-concerning-patents

      • rafterman11 - 8 years ago

        That’s the point – the patent office decides if something is worthy of a patent – and their determination of what is worthy of a patent is way, way too broad. 1/4 of the patents granted over the last 100 years could easily be thrown out as they border on ridiculousness in their claiming of a common or simple idea.

      • srgmac - 8 years ago

        I agree in spirit — but keep in mind there are several patents for perpetual motion devices…I don’t think I have to say anymore than that.

  6. Does it work with CarPlay? Because microusb cases doesn’t work . Can someone PLZZZZ let me know ! Haven’t find any info, for 100$ I need to be very sure :)

  7. Jake Becker - 8 years ago

    still better than most of the absolute eyesores I always see on people’s iPhones. Yeah, it’s yuck, but there’s not a lot of ways to do a battery case and those eyesore seeking people won’t care whatsoever.

  8. I don’t buy it. If you can’t do it well – don’t do it. Why in gods name Apple decided to go into extra battery case thing, admitting that a) battery installed isn’t sufficient and b) I mean come on look at this thing…

  9. RP - 8 years ago

    Not an excuse. Bad design is bad design. In this case beyond bad.

    Now that I think of it, this pattern of truly bad design began with iOS 7, an abomination. Then the iPhone 6, now this hot mess, using the side of the iPad to charge the pen, flipping the mouse upside down to charge it. Just bad decision after bad decision.

    God only knows what the Apple Car will look like.

    • wolphen - 8 years ago

      I personally like the look of the iPhone 6 and iOS 7. But I completely agree with you on the Pen and Mouse. They are horrendous.

      • rogifan - 8 years ago

        First of all get the name right. It’s Apple Pencil, not Pen. Second, the Pencil comes with an adapter for charging so using the iPP is for quick charging (15 seconds gives you 30 minutes) not something you’re supposed to leave in the lightening port for long periods of time. What I find so amusing is it seems the people complaining the loudest are people that don’t own any of these products. I’ve read numerous reviews of the iPP and Apple Pencil and none of them complained about Pencil charging. The only people complaining are those who don’t own an iPP. Well I do, and being able to stick the pencil in the lightening port for a quick charge is really convenient.

        Same thing with the mouse. People complained before they even had one in their hands. Turn the mouse on its side and plug in the lightening connector. In the time it takes you to get a cup of coffee you get a whole days charge. Or plug it in before you go to bed and you’ll wake up with a mouse that lasts for a month. Both of these things are just silly picking nits and mostly from people who don’t own either product.

      • wolphen - 8 years ago

        I don’t care what Apple calls it, in my eyes a Pencil has an eraser :)

        I get that it is convienient, but what I wish they did is have it attach magnetically to the side, like the surface. And have it charge wirelessly at the same time. Double win.

        I understand that it charges fast, but when I use my computer I dont want to be interupted by a dead mouse.

  10. macusercom - 8 years ago

    Looks like the back of an iPad nano glued to the iPhone 6s xD

  11. Gregory Wright - 8 years ago

    What’s the big deal here [why the fuss]? I carried my iPhone in my pocket. The only opportunity for anyone to observe it is when I place or receive a call or text someone. Even then the back of the phone is backside down in the palm of my hand. It would appear that many of you announce to anyone nearby that, look I’m about to use my iPhone – see it. C’mon, get a life.

  12. Edward (@archurban) - 8 years ago

    Apple shouldn’t make battery pack. why? it signs that Apple tries to dominate entire market which is total monopoly. it’s really bad. Apple should give others to make better aftermarket products. Apple really doesn’t realize that Apple products are not really used many in the rest of world excepting North America, and some of Europe. now, Apple’s only hope is iPhone. that’s all about. unfortunately, market percentage shows that Android based smart phones dominate.

  13. Albert Baca (@agbaca11) - 8 years ago

    Everybody should just calm down. It’s a choice people! You don’t have to buy it if it’s not for you. For me, the design is just fine. It’s great for slipping the case on and off. I’d rather do it the apple way than splitting the case the Mophie way. It is also slim and ergonomic to hold in landscape. And there’s no need for that little light when the case is in use. You want it when the case is off and charging. Steve Jobs would have gone ballistic at the little light on the front and his designers have taken his lessons to heart. Form follows function, then make it beautiful. I like its looks just fine and I’ll put it to use maybe 20 days a year. The rest of the time, I’ll appreciate the slim 6s form factor. I’m not one that would ever go for the plus just for 20 days a year (I ended up with an inexpensive Aukey external lightning chargeable battery for those 20 days). You’re an everyday power user and you have another preference? That’s fine. You object to $99? That’s fine. Everything is a choice!

  14. Carlos Os - 8 years ago

    Hey btw…I LIKE the design. Does people really think that they didn’t come with a uniform size idea since the beginning? I’m pretty sure Apple has its own reasons to make like that.

    My only complain: it seems the screen is not centered anymore in landscape mode with the case in.

  15. kjl3000 - 8 years ago

    That still does not explain why this ugly slap in the face of anybody begging Apple for more battery life even exists.

  16. dailycardoodle - 8 years ago

    It’s a good, honest design. Utilitarian in it’s features, kind of devoid of styling. So the hump doesn’t belie it’s purpose, a battery. It also allows the folding top and keeps a thin feel all around.

    Aesthetically I guess it just doesn’t look too great as so many people are moaning about it. Personally I find it inoffensive.

  17. Paul Otteson - 8 years ago

    “Bad design is bad design.” Yeah? Says who? The design cabal? No doubt any number of us/you/them could gather and smugly conclude “bad design” for the new case, but (dare I say it) I like it, and I think the design is great. I like the minimal addition of volume, and I much prefer the bulge to the cases that pretend a sleekness that isn’t real. I also like that the case serves a hard day’s usage, period, rather than capacity overkill.

    So I say, “good design”. And guess what — I’m a designer!

  18. gkbrown - 8 years ago

    Maybe they should just make the iPhone thicker…

    • pcl8r - 8 years ago

      No thanks. I like the iPhone as it is. I wake up at 4:30am, go all day, and I’m here at about 9pm with 8% as I’m getting ready to go to bed. All day battery for me.

  19. Joe Mecca - 8 years ago

    I’m not sure how they could have designed it differently.. it is a battery; i haven’t tried it yet, but it looks like it would be easier to hold compared to a big bubble back battery. I’m sure it has it’s advantages, I personally won’t be a buyer, I keep a charger in my car, office computer and at home. It’s not really a big deal to me to charge my phone and watch at work.

  20. Rich Davis (@RichDavis9) - 8 years ago

    I’m sure the Apple Battery Case is designed, hopefully to avoid patent violation, etc. But that doesn’t make it a good product design. A good product design is something that people like, will buy and the product sells enough to keep on the market unless a better design emerges.

  21. Gary McFarlane - 8 years ago

    I appreciate this is subjective, but I’m still shocked by how horrible the battery pack looks. Jobs would surely have said ‘yuk, start again’ or not bothered in the first place. Not convinced by Patel’s patent infringement thesis.

  22. crichton007 - 8 years ago

    Ben, when you say “But those deep pockets also could buy the best legal team.” Are you suggesting that Apple do what it sued Samsung for and blatantly infringe when it knows the patents exist and expect that they can, in effect, buy their way out of facing the consequences? I release this happens but I think most enthusiastic Apple followers (like most people who read this site) would expect better from Apple.

    • Ben Lovejoy - 8 years ago

      I mean that if Apple felt it had a legitimate defence, taking it to court could prove a difficult endeavour.

  23. Kirk (@djcj1414) - 8 years ago

    I bought this yesterday and I love it. It feels so much better in the hand then the mophie, even the slimest mophie reserve doesnt feel as nice as this…….also when holding it you cant even see that it is a thicker battery case because your hand covers the middle. The bump even fills into your hand nicely. Id also say that the “smart” factor of this case is great, start your day at 100% on the case and the phone….the case will go all the way down before your phone ever starts. Its cool to look at your phone at lunch time and see it at 100% still and you never had to even think about it. Using the lightning connector and not a micro USB is also huge. Id say that if you used it for a day you would like it, people just didnt like the look at first but it really isnt noticeable during daily use.

  24. srgmac - 8 years ago

    Slightly off topic — Nilay Patel was one of my favorite writers for Engadget, back when Engadget was the cool hip place to go (not anymore). I don’t really care for The Verge in general, so I haven’t had a chance to read his stuff in a long time. You should try to find a way to hire him!

  25. Anthony Tam (@anth07am) - 8 years ago

    The fail is that Apple went into the external battery pack market and had to release something as hideous as this.

  26. Mark Wojtowicz - 8 years ago

    Would’ve been nice if it was wedge shaped on the back so that when the phone sits on a flat surface its sitting tilted up slightly although it may not be feasible because the shape of the battery dictated the overall design.

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Avatar for Ben Lovejoy Ben Lovejoy

Ben Lovejoy is a British technology writer and EU Editor for 9to5Mac. He’s known for his op-eds and diary pieces, exploring his experience of Apple products over time, for a more rounded review. He also writes fiction, with two technothriller novels, a couple of SF shorts and a rom-com!


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