Water-proofing is one of those rumours that come around every time the iPhone or iPad are due for an update; whether we'll actually see that come to pass is debatable, but a patent has at least been awarded for .

(This would have been handy, you might think, in this .)

The patent describes an electronic device that "includes a hole disposed at least partially through the enclosure. The electronic device also includes a detector configured to provide at least one visual indication after being immersed in water." Hey, this one's quite simple. Patent law is a breeze!

Apple repair technicians (or civilians, presumably) will be able to tell that the iPhone has taken water on board thanks to an indicator: "a moisture-indicating detector viewable through the connector opening and the housing opening".