Apple Planning To Take On GoPro?

(RTTNews) - Apple may be planning to build camera to rival GoPro's popular point-of-view adventure camera.

Based on images of an Apple patent for a waterproof camera with remote control, Patently Apple blog thinks the tech giant is in the process of making "a Superior GoPro-like Camera System."

The blog uncovered a filing with the US Patent and Trademark Office in 2012 by Kodak, which has since sold most of the intellectual property to Apple.

GoPro shares dropped 12 percent on the news.

The patent depicts a camera that could be mounted in a similar fashion to the GoPro, which can attach to different surfaces or be worn in various ways.

"Specifically, the patent notes that the new camera system could be secured to various objects, such as a bike helmet or scuba mask, or mounted to the handlebars of a motorcycle or the front of a surfboard," Patently Apple wrote.

A closer reading of the document reveals some of the reasons why Apple thinks GoPro is susceptible.

It points out that GoPro cameras can only shoot images and video from the front.

And "excessive wind resistance" caused by the shape of the GoPro device causes it to vibrate, resulting in shaky video.

News and rumor site AppleInsider, however, says the report misrepresents Apple's patent.

Apple obviously purchased the Kodak patent for a reason, but the act doesn't necessarily mean the company is working on a GoPro competitor. If Apple is seriously considering a foray into the action cam market, a patented solution would almost assuredly come from within Cupertino," AppleInsider wrote.

"As it stands, the Kodak property could be used toward technology related to existing products, perhaps as a functional augmentation to the upcoming Apple Watch."