Do you walk and text? Head glued to your smartphone all the time? Apple's got your back. They've got a patent that will save you from falling into manholes, bumping into trees, and generally keeping you alive if you don't really want to pay attention to your surroundings.

Apple secured a patent with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for a "transparent texting" technology. This means users would be able to see what's in front of them while looking at their iPhone.

The "transparent texting" technology would replace the white background in the iPhone Messages app with a live video image from the device's rear-facing camera.

The users will be able to see what's behind their iPhone. But would that be able to save anyone from accidents?



Apple originally filed the patent for the technology on Sept. 26, 2012. The company hasn't indicated what its plans for "transparent texting" are, and it could just be a patent they want to keep for now.

Apps such as Type n Walk for iOS and Walk N Text for Android similarly use the rear-facing camera to "see through" the phone, so if you're in need of something like that, you don't have to wait any longer.