Apple applies for antenna technology patent

It has been over a year since the iPhone 4 Antennagate debacle filled the pages of most tech blogs. In that time, everyone from random people on the street to Consumer Reports criticized the iPhone antenna issues, problems that a new patent application from Apple seeks to solve.

Sniffed out by Patently Apple, this application for a window that acts as an antenna may end up being one of the more important filings you'll see this year. In a nutshell, Apple is developing a composite that contains foam cells and could house the iPhone's (or other iDevice's) antenna.

The antenna window would replace other antenna attempts like the stainless steel band around the iPhone 4 or, if you recall, the plastic backing piece of the original iPhones. The genius of this composite is that it is extremely versatile, able to be used for not just housing the antenna, but also as an adhesive or cosmetic application.

For the antenna's part, the composite can be formed with radio transparent material, aka antenna windows. This would negate signal degradation typically found in metal encasements. In essence, you have a unique material that is conducive to both industrial design and functionality.

Considering Apple's penchant for industrial design, iPhone casings could become even more sleek and perfectly formed. I am sure Jonny Ives is salivating at the thought.

Did Antennagate affect your purchasing decision when considering the iPhone 4? Let me know in the comments!