Apple CEO Tim Cook Speaks About The Apple Watch
Apple CEO Tim Cook speaks about the Apple Watch during an Apple event at the Flint Center in Cupertino, California, September 9, 2014. Reuters/Stephen Lam

Listed Feb 3 with Update Info

Apple's patent applications and grants seem to be piling by the day as new documents spotted reveal the company working on a range of gadgets including a scanner, coating and new iPhone. The first product reveals a mouse doubling as a scanner, a coating drying up easily and a smatphone rotating like a cat. They may not find their way soon to Apple stores but they do offer a good insight on what people can expect from Apple in the future.

According to Dispatch, Apple appears intent of growing its patent portfolio for a selection of new products soon. In fact, the tech giant gathered around 2,003 utility patents from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Patents are granted under the basis they provide useful processes and functions. According to the report, the number of patents Apple filed last year is 13 percent greater compared to the patents in 2013 and tripple of its collection in 2010. The steady increase of filings also stems from Apple's investment efforts which have doubled since then. The company allocated a total of $6 billion to its labs in the previous year.

Gartner analyst Van Baker shared his thoughts on the company's plans in relation to its patent applications and grants: “When you’re that big, and you want to continue to grow at a rate that the market is going to reward, you have to expand your business." It appears the case as the Cupertino-based giant has been preparing for the release of the Apple Watch this year. This is the first time that the company will be offering such product - beyond smartphones, computers and music players.

To make things more interesting, Apple will be amplifying its focus on the "premium" as it will be releasing an 18-carat yellow or rose gold version of the Apple Watch. The company has been preparing safes in its Apple stores for the watch according to The Telegraph's sources. Apple CEO Tim Cook did confirm the release of the standard and premium Apple Watches this April.

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