Apple patents "Places" as a social networking service for iOS
While Apple and social networking didn't get off to a good start with Ping!, it appears Apple may be willing to try again with a new patent pointing to a social networking feature they are titling "Places". (Does this sound familiar to anyone else?)
The patent shows that Places will be a social networking type service that will use the assistance of GPS to locate users on iOS devices. Whether or not it will integrate with Ping! is yet to be seen. The service is pretty much the same thing most mobile users already know how to use through apps like Gowalla and Foursquare. Ping! didn't seem to do as well as Apple would have liked so this may be a move to try and tie in the two services.
My big issue with Apple creating services like this is that it only encompasses the Apple ecosystem. What about my friends that are on other platforms such as Android? I can already interact with them through services like Gowalla and Foursquare, which are cross-platform. Apple would have to give me a really good reason to use their service to get me to abandon apps I'm already familiar with. Perhaps they'll integrate access to those services through their own. I'm still surprised they're using the title "Places" since Facebook already uses that title for their check-in service, and Apple already uses it for its facial recognition in iPhoto and Aperture.
What do you guys think? Would you use it or stick with what you already have?
Jailbreak, Mod, and DIY editor at iMore, Founder of PXLFIX, Potter pundit, the ninja in your iOS.
| Tweet |
|
|
Leave a Reply
Note: Comments must be civil, respectful, and on-topic. If a comment does not add to the conversation, if it contains spam advertising, or inappropriate language or content, it will be removed. Insulting the topic, author, staff, site, network, or other commenters will result in the comment being marked as spam and potential prevent future comments from appearing on the site. Do not post as a business or your comment will likely be confused with spam. Comments containing links may be held for moderation. Relax, enjoy, and share in the discussion.
"Places" is also Google's business listing.
You can't patent a trademark.
With Apple you can or Steve Jobs will go all mental
You're probably wasting you're breath as I've found trying to discuss, Copyright law, trademark law, or patent law with people on a tech site is an exercise in futility.
You can't triple stamp a double stamp.
Places could simply be a part or extension of Ping. It doesn't have to a full blown independent service. Some components of any popular trend share some common ID's. Desktops use a "Mouse." While someone could call it a pointy-thingy I'm glad that they don't. Some conventions are needed to grow a sector for everyone to enjoy. So Places is likely to be a part a social service rather than being the social service.
Trademark. Not patent.
There is a world of difference between the two.
I fixed it but I was simply going off of what was in the actual patent, which referred to it as a trademark as well, several times.
Fixed.
What about the already existing Google Places?
google doc com / places
DOT com
Well, Google Places isn't a social network, so I don't see a conflict. There are several companies named Ford, but only one builds automobiles.
Besides, I think sounds like just a patent for the service, not a trademark for the name. But I haven't read the article, either.
"and Apple already uses it for its facial recognition in iPhoto and Aperture."
That is called Faces, not Places.
Places in iPhoto and Aperture uses metadata from photos to determine the location the photo was taken.
Sorry, but that was a really bad oversight.
I'm gonna blame that one on rene. I didn't put that lol but I think that's what he meant. I'll fix it.
When one's as busy as Rene, one is bound to make mistakes. The man cranks out the articles, and does a great job of it.
I would think they would do this with the photos app the way ping is with itunes ... maybe they'll enable people ( who are friends on places ) who are taking pictures on their different iOS devices to share photos. People who aren;t there can comment on the pictures bla bla...