Your Next Mac Could Double Up As A Smoke Alarm

Apple published a patent application to build smoke alarms into future Mac and iOS devices.

 As users move towards a smart home through services like Apples Homekit, devices like Macs, iPhones and iPads could intelligently monitor for signs of a fire and trigger various mechanisms accordingly.

This means in the event of a fire the device will send a text or email alerting them of danger, calling 911 or even activating fire suppression equipment.

Apples patent application is based on a light detection system, with in-build light sensors determining if beams of light are illuminating smoke particles, or whether a certain location is smoke-free.

The device will work out where in your home the fire is and then alert other linked devices. So your iPhone could wake you from a message sent by your Mac.

It seems someone in Copertino has an eye for safety as this isn’t the first time Apple have filed for patents dealing with fires. A recent filed patent shows new halogen free, flame-retardant materials for use in future devices.

You can ‘Oooo’ now.