Native instant messaging is a much sought after feature for iPhone owners. There are already a number of third party applications that bring instant messaging to the iPhone, some of them even do a really good job of it. With the SDK on it’s way there will be even more, and of them, a lot more clients that perform well. There is one problem with both of these type of clients though; they can not run in the background.
The reason for this, is applications that do not have Apple’s blessing generally can not run in the background, as they do not have the correct permissions to do so. This means if you close the instant messaging application, or leave to do something else, then you will be signed off and your conversations ended. If Apple made the application though, they could allow it to run in the background, just as other services on the iPhone do, such as the phone application.
This patent sketch shows some clues on how the application would work. The application is set up much like the current SMS application on the iPhone, with a few notable differences. The patent application was filed in August of last year, and granted last month. It was not said if Apple plans to release this application with iPhone firmware 2.0, or iif it will be made available through iTunes, and downloaded at the owners discretion.
[Via TUAW]
Written by Chase Higgins on April 22nd, 2008 with no comments.
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Is there such a thing as too big a cellphone display? Obviously yes, otherwise it might be too massive for your pocket; thing is, users are getting all too accustomed to the luxury of browsing the full internet on their iPhone, and soon you know they’re going to be clamouring for more. Perhaps that’s why Apple has developed a new type of head-mounted display: maybe as an upcoming iPhone with augmented reality, maybe a new display peripheral for a MacBook. Or maybe, as is most likely I think, just because it’s a cool thing to develop.
The patent describes a system of two miniature display sources (LCD or OLED), one for each eye, which allow for a broader field of view. Being separate, they would also allow for individual adjustment for a user’s face. Apple also suggests a slight offset could be introduced for creating stereoscope-like 3D.
“[T]he invention provides methods and apparatus for providing a wider field of view and creating a more natural viewing situation for a user of a head mounted display, which results in improved comfort and usability for head mounted displays” Apple patent
Developed by John Tang, of Apple’s Industrial Design Group, although the patent describes some vague usage scenarios it’s primarily dealing with the technical aspect of creating large view-through near-to-eye displays. It’s also possible that Apple have a heads-up video display in mind. A 16:9 widescreen aspect ratio is mentioned, as is movie data played from a portable device.
Written by Chris Davies on April 17th, 2008 with no comments.
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A patent application filed by Apple was recently outed detailing Apple’s plans to set up a virtual network using iTunes. This was to be a precaution, in case AT&T and Apple could not reach a deal. The application details how the network would have worked.
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Written by Chase Higgins on April 10th, 2008 with no comments.
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In other patent news, Apple has further fuelled expectations for an ultraportable MacBook with the filing of an application that details an iMac-like base station into which a laptop-sized device can be slotted so as to take advantage of full-sized keyboard, mouse and screen. Gizmodo, who unearthed the patent, threw together this mockup of how the system could work, with the ultraslim notebook sliding into the side of the monitor, which has the same ports and connectivity as an iMac desktop machine.
 
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Written by Chris Davies on January 3rd, 2008 with no comments.
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Analysis of what’s in and what’s missing from the leaked iPhone v1.1.3 firmware continues in earnest, with the current state of thought being that while the software Gear Live have acquired is seemingly legitimate, it may not in fact be in its final form. Authenticity for the as-yet-unannounced v1.1.3 gained support from some patent-digging over at hrmpf.com, who managed to match up the ‘wiggling’ icons and rearrangeable Home screen to a previously granted Apple patent; compare their animation (constructed from patent illustrations) with the video Gear Live released:
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Written by Chris Davies on January 3rd, 2008 with no comments.
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