As if being the most used camera on Flickr wasn't enough, it looks like the iPhone will soon have another photographic feather in its cap. A recently uncovered Apple patent seems to suggest that soon, iPhones can be tethered to each other as master/slave strobes. Yup. iPhoneographers rejoice.
There's little else to go on here, as Apple is remaining tight-lipped regarding the patent (surprise surprise). GottaBeMobile reports that:
Apple’s system proposes that the iPhone would capture a test image first to analyze the scene. The iPhone would then give users information on how to position additional iPhone or iPad devices around the scene to properly illuminate the photo. The flash intensity could also be controlled and automatically adjusted by the primary device.
Reports also suggest that the system will be controlled via Bluetooth or WiFi to trigger the other Apple devices in the lighting scheme. Per the norm, it's a patent that Apple has registered, meaning that any attempt to emulate a good idea such as this - that could have plenty of cross-platform use - might be struck down. This patent was filed in 2011, so this may just be another idea that was put on the backburner. Maybe not. Let's see what this year's WWDC brings.