GoPro Hero 4-Like Camera System To Be Released by Apple? New Patent Indicates as Much

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has granted Apple a patent on a new camera system, which can potentially give Go Pro a run for its money in manufacturing action cameras.

The agency published a series of 34 newly-approved patents, one of which details a camera system that can be mounted on a bike helmet, or scuba mask similar to a Go Pro camera in the market.

The iPhone maker said their new camera system can be equipped with a microphone that can be used in air or under water to take pictures and record sounds while being controlled using a phone or a watch.

Some industry analysts see this as the tech giant's possible entry into the field of digital video cameras, specifically, digital cameras equipped with remote control and wireless capability.

In fact, Yahoo Finance thinks Apple's new patents could directly move Apple's invention into GoPro's realm, considering that the patent application specifically mentioned the weaknesses of the GoPro devices.

Reuters, on the other hand, thinks Apple's interest in the action camera market could also put pressure on privately held Polaroid Corp, which makes the small and colorful Cube cameras.

Analyst Michael Pachter is of the opinion that Apple action cameras, should it make such, will have about the same impact on GoPro as the iPhone has had on camera makers.

"And that impact is that there are fewer cameras sold but the number isn't zero," Pachter said.

But securities analyst Alex Gauna said it is still premature to assume that Apple would soon launch a wearable camera. "It does not seem to me that launching an action camera accessory is the most logical product extension for Apple to pursue right now," Gauna said.

Apple declined to comment, while GoPro was not immediately available for comment.

Over the last few years, GoPro has been producing videos featuring shots taken from its action cameras that continue to attract online attention and generate millions of views.

In 2012, Apple filed a patent application that incorporates some intellectual property from Eastman Kodak Co that the company acquired in November 2013.

GoPro shares were down 11.8 percent at $50.10, while Apple was up 1.37 percent at $110.76 in late-afternoon trading on the Nasdaq on Tuesday.