Apple Patent Addressing Factor Limiting Phone Photography

Last Saturday I posted an article on why phone cameras would never be able to fully replace DSLR cameras.

Apparently Apple agrees with me.  Apple has just filed a patent for "Artificial Muscle" used to control camera lenses.


The Artificial Muscle Camera Lens Actuator uses electroactive polymers which change their shape when exposed to an electric current.  The "artificial muscle" actuator would apparently be lighter, cheaper, and more efficient when it comes to power use than the current motor.


Judging from the patent design, the new actuator can also alter aperture size.

The fixed aperture currently used by phone cameras is possibly the most limiting factor when it phone photography.  This could address that limiting factor.


I still don't expect phone cameras to completely replace DSLR cameras, but this could increase the ability of phone cameras to replace lower end point-and-shoot or bridge cameras,