Apple Takes Innovation A Notch Higher With iPhone-Based Car Key

Apple has been awarded a patent on another innovation- and this time, it is about a portable device capable of controlling a car or any vehicle. The portable device can either be an iPhone or iPad.

Although the company has been teasing the public on a potential venture on automobile manufacturing, it is still yet to release an announcement to make it official. However, it has been known that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has indeed awarded to the tech giant after it was tracked by sites 9to5 Mac and Patently Apple.

Based on the awarded patent, an iPhone or iPad can be used to manipulate a car, unlock the doors or open the doors. An iPhone can also be used to activate the car's Global Positioning System (GPS), turn on the compartment lights or headlights, and adjust the seats. 

As per the description of the patent prepared by Apple, a portable device such as the iPad is also capable of activating the parking system of the car as well as activating its wireless communication system. The sun roof can be opened and the windshields wipers can be turned on using the designated iPhone or Ipad device.

This innovation may sound reminiscent of the latest car models now that can be embedded with technologies that responsive to apps. Forinstance, the electric car maker Tesla already has car models that are automatically connected to apps that allow the automatic parking of the car.

The latest Apple innovation to obtain a patent is also unique as it includes support for two different devices which can be used to control the vehicle.  One of these devices will be designated as the primary device and the other one will be assigned to the secondary device. The primary device will have full control of the vehicle while certain limitations will be imposed on the secondary Apple device.

Such innovation is yet to materialize as Apple has not made expressed its intention to push through the with invention.