Shatterproof iPhones are nearly here

The bland drawing above is Apple's patent application design for a phone shock-mount system – a nifty little idea that should come in handy for butter-fingered gadgeteers like yourself.

So how's it work? Special inflatable pads beneath the glass screen will act like mini airbags when sensors detect the phone has been dropped, bracing your poor iPhone for impact. It should result in less damage to its precious tech innards – and its glass frame.

This should help against serious damange, although scratches and dents will remain an issue. (The only way you'll get case-free scratch protection is by covering your iPhone with diamonds.) If you can't afford that, then we suggest you suit it up in a case and wait for tech like this to roll around to offer even more protection from your clumsy clutches.