APPLE is working on a new tool for its latest iPhone that would turn the gadget into a poisonous gas detector.

A powerful sensor loaded into the handset would set off an alarm if carbon monoxide or other gases in a room reach dangerous levels.

Apple gained a patent for the bizarre system this week, and says the technology could end up in both the latest iPhone and Apple Watch.

It aims to pick up harmful, poisonous gases that are otherwise invisible or odourless, such as carbon monoxide or methane.

The sensor may even be capable of picking up a nasty smelling fart.

Over the years, a number of people who own noxious gas detectors have reported their trumps set off methane alarms on the devices.

The Apple patent shows diagrams of a “miniature gas sensing device encased in an enclosure”.

An Apple Watch is used in the patent demonstration as an example of an "enclosure".

There's no guarantee that Apple will fit the noxious gas detectors into its future devices – like the rumoured iPhone 11.

Patents show that a company is merely interested in a technology, which it may never build.

Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

With the iPhone 11 due for release in September, rumours about the device are beginning to trickle in.

The handset is rumoured to come with a triple rear camera setup, including wide-angle, telephoto, zoom, or even macro lenses.

It's also tipped to get super fast 5G connection speeds that let you download 4K films in seconds.

LOL this is hilarious

Oh no.. This is actually hilarious no doubt.