Apple has experimented with various implementations of the color black over the years, but it hasn't sold a black MacBook since 2008. That looks to be about to change. A new patent published by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) suggests Apple is bringing a revolutionary matte black finish to future MacBooks.

According to the documents, the tech giant has outlined plans for an "anodized part having a matte black appearance" that includes "light-absorbing features" and pores containing color particles to maximize "the matte black effect." Basically, that means it's going to be very black.

A genuine black color is notoriously difficult to achieve, and most commercial "black" products are actually dark gray or blue.  In etching the surface of an anodized layer with pores, Apple is able to absorb "generally all visible light" to deliver a truer black finish without increasing glossiness. The method is similar to that used to produce products such as BLACK 2.0 paint, the world's mattest, flattest, black art material.

The patent notes that the finish can be used on a range of metals and metal alloys, including aluminum, titanium, and steel which means it might be used on future iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and MacBook models. Of course, a patent doesn't mean the product will definitely reach the production stage.