MagSafe looks like just another magnetic charging ring, but it has revitalized the smartphone accessory game: by simply adding a powerful magnet to the back of the iPhone, Apple has given itself and third-party accessory makers all kinds of new options.

And now it looks like Apple is at it again. A new patent (via iMore) suggests that the company is working on a MagSafe dial, which could offer all sorts of unique and interesting features to the iPhone with magnetic technology. It takes a lot for a mobile accessory to get me excited, and the possibilities this accessory offers do the job.

Basically, Apple's patent describes a MagSafe accessory with a rotatable dial; like MagSafe itself, it sounds incredibly simple. And on the surface it is. But what makes this patent exciting is that a slight twist of the dial opens up new interaction possibilities with your beloved iPhone.

The rotatable control element allows you to perform several key functions of the iPhone just by twisting it. Fiddling with the device's settings or zooming in on a photo will be more natural than the pinch to zoom that we have become accustomed to.

The full list of device features suggested by the patent is as follows:

Currently, all of these features are accessed via menus and layers of options within iOS, but once this patented accessory hits the market, they will be more quickly available. And while many of the features relate to photography and videography, it is easy to imagine what else Apple could come up with to make this even more useful.

The patent also cites a distinct texture on the rotatable dial that would provide accessible meaning for people with vision impairments.

Apple is also not content to limit this device to just the iPhone. The patent suggests use on iPads, MacBooks, camera tripods, and even car dashboards.

Importantly, this is a patent and an idea that Apple just wants to take the lead on. It is possible that this product will never make it to market. It is also possible that it is almost ready and will be launched soon. There is no way to know how far along it is. Either way, this piques my interest, and I definitely want a customizable dial on the back of my smartphone as soon as possible.