There’s no rule that says smartphones have to be boring rectangular-ish blocks. And Apple’s latest patent application filings show the company may be looking at some new shapes in its future phones.

The company filed two patents (also here) that show a new battery that’s curved and features an irregular shape. Presumably, Apple is experimenting with the look for a future line of iPhones or iPod Touch devices. And this wouldn’t exactly be the first time the concept has been mentioned. Past rumors indicate Apple was interested in producing a curvier iPhone, which you can see above in the design mockup commissioned by Josh Topolsky back in 2011.

As for the patent filings, both describe different processes for creating a battery with a curved cell that would fit snugly into a more shapely, curved device. The battery would essentially be top-heavy to facilitate the non-rectangular, thin device.

Here’s a description from the filing:

“In some embodiments, the curve is formed to facilitate efficient use of space inside a portable electronic device. For example, the curve may be formed at one or more ends of the battery cell to allow the battery cell to occupy a curved and/or rounded space within the enclosure of a laptop computer, tablet computer, mobile phone, personal digital assistant (PDA), digital camera, portable media player, and/or other type of battery-powered electronic device.”

But regardless of Apple’s tinkering, we’re unlikely to see this type of battery implemented for the iPhone 6 (or whatever the company decides to call its next iPhone).

Via AppleInsider

OK, that is actually not a shock, and is pretty much expected, normal, and standard operating procedure for Apple. In fact, the only shock would be if the company was not working on new models and software.

However, it is somewhat surprising that Apple has allowed devices with the new model designator to venture uncloaked into the digital world. According to The Next Web, developers are seeing “iPhone6.1″ and references to iOS 7 in app analytics logs — from an IP address apparently originating in Cupertino.

This is NOT iPhone 6.

Which could easily be explained, of course, by Apple testing popular apps with updated versions of its mobile operating system on prototypes of the company’s upcoming phones.

Given the company’s penchant for privacy, however, one would expect Apple to spoof an older phone’s identifiers, thereby concealing the new hardware and software from public awareness.

Unless, of course, the fruity California company is turning over a new leaf and entering a new era of corporate transparency.

Now that would be a shocking bit of news.

Image credit: Ciccarese Design