With rumors of Apple exploring new ways to charge iPhones and iPads, MacRumors pulls together threads from a company called WiTricity, which is based wireless charging research from MIT, and puts it together with an Apple patent application that surfaced earlier this year.

Apple describes a scenario where your iMac could be the source of this resonance power to provide a virtual charging area in front of your computer. Keyboards, mice and even mobile electronic devices like the iPhone or iPad could be charged simply be being in a 1 meter proximity to your computer. In typical Apple fashion, they describe that "by doing away with clumsy and annoying cables and eliminating the need to replace batteries, an easy to use and efficient local computing environment can be provided to the user."

So unlike HP/Palm's TouchStone, it wouldn't require direct contact, just proximity. Whether or not Apple is or will work with WiTricity, or does anything with wireless charging any time soon, it's interesting to see what's being explored in the labs.

I've used inductive charging with the Pre Plus and with PowerMat, and while it feels like the future, it feels like a very close future. Like a novelty and not that far removed from the tether (trading the socket for a surface). True wireless charging, the ability to put your iPhone or iPad down pretty much where you want, and pick it up again fully charged? Way closer to Star Trek.

TED video after the break.

Patently Apple has shone a light on a recent Apple patent that shows how cloud based music and media locker could be integrated into iTunes in robust, dare I say seamless manner.

Apple's patent and invention is directed to locally storing portions of a media item that is streamed to an electronic device. In particular, Apple's invention is directed to locally storing an initial portion of a media item from a user's library, and requesting a stream of the remaining portion of the media item upon starting local playback of the initial portion.

The media items owned or accessible by a user could be stored in a user's media library. The media library could be stored on any suitable device, including for example on a host device, on a remotely accessed server, in a cloud, or in any other suitable location. The user could store at least some media items of the library on an electronic device so that the user could locally play back the media items. The electronic device could include communications circuitry for remotely connecting to the media library and stream media items to the user's device.

So you could basically tap a song, the local portion will begin to play, and your iPhone or iPad would start getting ready to stream the rest from the cloud. That gives instant access but also time to buffer, which means less chance for delays when they're most annoying -- during the song or show.

There's even a setting (see the image above) to let you choose to sync partial music to your device in the iTunes sync settings tab.

So while Apple is getting their record label deals in place, and we're wondering if iTunes cloud will only serve up iTunes music, I'm going to ask if this type of system is the one you want?

[Patently Apple]

PatentlyApple has uncovered some interesting patent applications from Apple involving new multitouch gestures and smart bezels aimed at making interaction more simple and gestures more memorable.

Apple's patent introduces us to mid-drag gestures, microgestures within gestures, and other gesture modification motions performed contiguously within an overall gesture (i.e., without losing contact with the touch-sensitive input surface during the gesture) to provide intuitive ways to interact with a user interface for varying purposes, such as modifying user interface behaviors, changing optionally displayed items, etc.

Apple states that the use of mid-drag gestures reduces the cognitive burden on a user, thereby creating a more efficient human-machine interface. For battery-operated computing devices, enabling a user to use mid-drag gestures allows for faster and more efficient use of user interfaces, thereby conserving power and increasing the time between battery charges.

Apple did enable some additional multitouch gestures in the beta of iOS 4, but they never made it to the final release. If you are a registered developer they can still be enabled.

The illuminated smart bezel would allow some controls to be moved off the display, so fingers no longer cover areas of the screen. Parts of the bezel could illuminate indicating control regions for starting and stopping media, navigating maps, playing games, etc. While Palm has used a gesture region since the introduction of the Pre and RIM will be using a 1-pixel wide screen border to detect gestures coming off the bezel, and illuminated bezel would offer better orientation for users and the possibility of more dynamic and flexible interactions.

Of course just because Apple patents something is no indication we'll see them in real world software or hardware any time soon, though wouldn't they be interesting in iOS 5 and iPhone 5?

[Patently Apple, x2]

Patently Apple got their hands on an Apple patent application that shows future iPads may just be designed with a built-in kickstand. iPads, and perhaps Cinema Displays, would have the ability to pivot to allow for use in landscape and portrait mode. Apple states that products with displays need a mechanism to support the object in multiple configurations. The patent also mentions the possible addition of a kickstand to other Apple products such as the iPhone.

Would you like to see a kickstand on a future version of the iPad or even maybe the iPhone someday?

[ Patently Apple ]

The U.S. Patent & Trademark Office published a patent submitted by Apple today that indicates the use of a facial recognition camera as well as a new speaker array for use with the iPad. The patent shows off three and four speaker arrays to help give off better audio at increased ranges. Also indicated in this patent is a camera that will include facial and location orientation. This will allow the camera to reorient itself depending on if you are chatting with it in landscape or portrait mode. Stay with us to find out what else Apple has patents on.

The patent goes on to explain that the orientation sensor may be provided by a compass, accelerometer, an inertial sensor, or other device. It would be provided by the selection of the orientation of the display, the shape of the touch input or image recognition of the listener.

The speaker array is simply a different arrangement for the use of three or four speakers placed around the device in a non-collinear arrangement. This would allow for the iPad's audio range to cover high range tweeter and a lower range speaker.

Also an interesting note in this patent appears to be a new iPad stand that utilizes a magnetic type backing to hold the iPad. It is unclear whether we will ever see this stand but it is interesting to see that Apple could be working on it nonetheless.

[ Patently Apple ]

The latest patent filed by Apple shows a possible Ping-like social networking tool for the retail shopping world. It would allow for iPhone owners to share comments, opinions and recommendations for different products from different stores for their friends to view. Like any patent there's no telling when, if ever, this particular one will find its way into a real, shipping product, but it does hive us a glimpse at what Apple is working on.

Basically what it would entail is using your iPhone while shopping to gain product lists from a kiosk located inside the store. Those products and any information about them would be viewable in the proposed social networking app. Once you view a product you could ask your friends their opinions on the item to help you decide if you should make the purchase or hold off for the time being. Your friends can rate, review, or check yes or no for the products you share.

Apple feels it is a lot of work trying to coordinate shopping with friends or gaining the attention of a salesclerk. Personally I think I can handle shopping for myself but what about you? Do you need Apple's help in deciding what to buy in the form of yet another social network?

[ Apple Insider ]

Another interesting Apple patent has made its way out of Cupertino, this one explaining a process in which Apple would use new "knitting technology" to create a flexible material for use in iPads and other products. The material could be made from not only metal fibers but glass fibers or other types of materials as well.

This could potentially give products a bit more physical flexibility as well. Seeing as this material probably would not be as durable as aluminum, I don't know if I can see Apple using this as the sole material to build future devices. I do see this as being useful for things such as insulation. Perhaps using some of this material could insulate vulnerable parts and protect from interference (antennagate anyone?).

Seeing as a knitting process would also allow Apple to control the texture and thickness of fibers, this type of technology could be used in products such as headphones as well. Anyone else have any theories on what Apple plans on using this new material process for?

PatentlyApple

Based on a recent patent filing, it looks as if Apple may be looking at even more ways to buy and share apps. This approach would be a bit more social as it would allow your friends to share applications with you that they think you may enjoy. This could work through the network, through a cloud service, or through IR.

The patent explains a way in which you could have a list of applications that are able to be shared. When sharing, the person receiving the recommendation would have access to either the full apps with a trial period limit, a demo, or a restricted (lite) version. I'm assuming this would probably depend on each developer's preference. The user would see a list of applications to share and they could drag them to a specified location in order to share them with others.

There is also talk of this being a way for Apple to offer incentives to people who refer applications to others. Whether those incentives would include App Store credit, promotional material, discounts or something else isn't clear. Regardless what it is, it's definitely something I could see as a good model to boost App Store sales even further.

The patent also shows that this model could be used across several devices including iPhones, iPod Touches, iPads, and Mac computer platforms. This makes sense considering Mac will now offer an App Store as well. We can only assume a lot of apps will offer compatibility with Macs in the future.

Is this a feature you think you'd use? I frequently get family and friends asking for app recommendations and this could potentially make my life a bit easier when it comes to sending them a list of apps I recommend. I could simply send them straight to their device. And if Apple wants to give me some perks for doing so, even better!

Patently Apple

Some of Apple's more interesting recent patent applications and grants for iPad and iPhone include spiraling, radial menus, an actual radio app, 3D displays without the need for annoying glasses. As always, just because Apple patents something doesn't mean we'll ever see it in production hardware or software, so just take these for what they're worth -- glimpses into Apple's thinking about the future.

Radial menus would be use in lieu of drop downs and possible in place of popovers:

“…The novel radial menu techniques of some embodiments include (i) non-uniform spacing of menu items, (ii) the use of shading or highlighting within a region associated with an item to indicate the present selectability of the item, and (iii) the use of radial gestures for opening sub-menus and the subsequent display of the sub-menu.” [unwired view]

The Radio app is just another hint that Apple might one day activate the FM radio built into the iPhone's chipset, but this time with handy location-based station mapping:

In Apple's patent FIG. 6 noted below, we see that an FM radio receiver (104) is associated with a future version of the iPhone. The iPhone's smart radio program is capable of presenting you with an FM radio list or a unique map with icons of the primary FM stations (e.g., 204a, 204b, and 204c, collectively referenced as 204) in the neighborhood. [Patently Apple]

Manufacturers and content producers are desperately trying to make us excited about 3D but the need for special glasses might keep it from being mainstream. Apple specializes in mainstream so is it any surprise they're looking into 3D sans goggles?

Apple's invention provides a three-dimensional display system having a projection screen having a predetermined angularly-responsive reflective surface function. Three-dimensional images are respectively modulated in coordination with the predetermined angularly-responsive reflective surface function to define a programmable mirror with a programmable deflection angle. [Patently Apple]

Any of these have you particularly excited about the future of Apple devices and apps?

Hitachi Displays out of Japan have been working on a new type of capacitive display technology that Apple could use in the next-generation iPhone 5 coming in 2011 that allows for interacting with the screen without direct skin contact, such as when using the device with gloves. From Patently Apple:

The new touch panel is still a projection design, but could be operated even while wearing gloves. The new panels range from 3 to 10 inches in size, covering Apple's current lines of iOS based devices. Considering that Apple is a pioneering leader in this field, we're likely to see this technology come to iOS based devices in the coming years.

This is a really neat idea. I can't tell you the number of times during the winter months when I'd appreciate such a technology as this (as opposed to spending $20+ on a pair of special "iPhone gloves", pictured above). This would also be great for using a non-iPhone specific stylus if you're still into using technology dating back to the late 90's.

How about you, would you be happy seeing this integrated into future iPhone or iPad displays, or would you not notice the added value? Let us know what you think in the comments!

[Patently Apple]

A new Apple patent was just revealed that suggests iOS (and the upcoming Mac OS X Lion) could have scrolling menus and toolbars The idea would be that users could bring up menus and toolbars that apply to whatever application they're in, scroll through them, and select a command from the toolbar itself.

The patent also tells us that these toolbars could consist of text only commands or that icons could be used. To put it in simpler terms, it could change the way you interact with your OS. Right now in Mac OS X we use drop-down menus to save a file, open a document, or edit them. In iOS we use typically use pop-up menus. This patent implies that Apple may be looking at changing it up a bit. I'm not quite sure how I feel about scrolling through menus on a Mac or if I prefer the traditional solution (drop-down menus are easy to access), but I could definitely see this being an extremely useful feature in iOS. What do you guys think?

[via PatentlyApple]

Apple has shown an increasing interest as of late in creating stainless steel devices that are more durable to everyday wear and tear, and have been experimenting with an external coating of nitride to make this possible.

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has published information relating to Apple's latest invention of a new application which they call "Nitriding Stainless Steel for Consumer Electronic Products." This describes a cost-effective system that would include placing a layer of nitride on top of the stainless steel exterior to help it wear better over time. The application reads:

In addition to providing a durable, hard surface that is both scratch and impact resistant, the nitride layer allows for the natural surface color and texture of the underlying stainless steel to remain visible to the user. It is this natural surface color and texture of the stainless steel that adds to the aesthetically pleasing appearance of the consumer electronic product, thereby enhancing the user's overall experience.

This concept would allow the look and feel of the stainless stell to be maintained while at the same time providing greater protection against scratches and other wear and tear that devices face on a day to day basis. It's also desireable because it is non-magnetic and would be less likely to inhibit 3G wireless signals as well as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. We all know this is rather important after the infamous antennagate Apple faced with the release of the iPhone 4.

[ Apple Insider ]

by Brian Tufo

Apple has applied for yet another patent; this one is for filtering text messages. Why would one want to filter text messages, you ask? To prevent sexting of course!

Sexting -- SMS text messages containing sexual content -- restrictions could allows the user (or parent of the user) to block the exchange of text-based messages containing any type of content, or to have the offending content removed before the transmission is complete.

Systems, devices, and methods are provided for enabling a user to control the content of text-based messages sent to or received from an administered device. In some embodiments, a message will be blocked (incoming or outgoing) if the message includes forbidden content. In other embodiments, the objectionable content is removed from the message prior to transmission or as part of the receiving process. The content of such a message is controlled by filtering the message based on defined criteria.

The patent is not only about stopping material, however. It also talks about requiring certain text to be included in the messages.

The criteria may be defined according to a parental control application. These techniques also may be used, in accordance with instructional embodiments, to require the administered devices to include certain text in messages. These embodiments might, for example, require that a certain number of Spanish words per day be included in e-mails for a child learning Spanish.

If Apple adds this type of control to the iPhone, it will be very appealing to parents who want to make sure their teens aren't engaging in activity they do not approve of. Teens, however, will likely not welcome this feature with open arms. On the flip side, the more control a parent has over an electronic device, the more likely they will purchase it for their child.

As a new mom to a baby girl, you better believe I hope this type of control is available when I'm ready to give her her first iPhone.

Any parents out there hoping to see this feature hit iPhones in the near future? Any teens hoping this feature does not hit the scene until you're out of the control of your parents?

[9To5Mac]

Some Apple patents were made public this weekend giving possible hints at the the future of the iPad, include a landscape dock port and "smart-bezel".

The first one shows a second 30-pin dock connector on the left side for landscape docking. I'm sure this will make the keyboard dock and bluetooth keyboards even easier to use with some apps.

The second patent is for something called "Smart Bezel" which isnt really described well but by the pictures it looks like you touch a part of the bezel and and you can assign that part to a particular action.

Neither of these are bold re-designs, but are they features you want to see in a refresh? Oh, and let us know if you think that's a front-facing camera in the smart-bezel illustration after the break, or just the ambient light sensor...

[Patently Apple via 9to5mac]

This is an official entry by Freiteez in TiPb’s next top blogger contest. Think you have what it takes to join Team TiPb? Bring it!

A new patent recently filed by Apple lays out plans to unleash iPhones and iPads covered with sensors that could make buttons like Home and Sleep/Wake obsolete:

"For instance, holding an iPad-style tablet with one hand could trigger the slate to activate the sensors on the other side of the hardware, so that only the controlling hand can use them. Meanwhile on-screen controls could be shifted across accordingly. Smaller devices could... react to individual or chorded input from the fingers holding the handset; that would allow for single-handed use of an iPhone, for instance."

Filed Tuesday, the patent states that sensors could be placed under a device's touchscreen, or even within its casing. This means that instead of having a homescreen button to press, one would simply swipe their finger along the bottom of the device to get back to their home page. (Sounds like Palm devices, doesn't it?)

Likewise, locking the device, or adjusting the volume, could use similar swipe related gestures in place of buttons. Apple's abandonment of buttons would also lead to sleeker, smoother idevices that would definitely fit with the company's reputation for creating ultra-modern, aesthetically pleasing products.

Rumors of Apple working on multitouch casings and bezels have been around for a while so while we never know if anything from the labs will ever make it into real, production devices, it does look like they're still actively pursuing the idea.

What do you say folks, is a buttonless iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch something that you would want? Sound off in the comments section and let us know what you think!

[SlashGear]

This is an official entry by Aaron Schultz in TiPb’s next top blogger contest. Think you have what it takes to join Team TiPb? Bring it!

I've long dreamt of a world where, instead of launching Front Row's movie interface or DashBoard's widget screen on a Mac, I could just launch a version of iPhone/iPad's iOS and use all my existing apps and games -- and a newly discovered Apple Patent for a dual-mode iMac touch shows Apple might one day may that dream come true.

Or not. As with any patent there's no way of knowing which will ever end up as real shipping products and which will live on only as doodles and descriptions. However, Apple is moving inexorably towards iOS and multitouch so perhaps this one has a shot?

What do you think? Is a world where you can slide away your keyboard and mouse Magic TrackPad, flip down Mac OS X, and start multitouching your way through IOS a world you want to live in?

Patently Apple discovered a recently published Apple patent detailing an "Add Contact" workflow and "Social Networking" workflow that specifically uses Facebook as it's main example. Now that does not mean this patent will not work with other social networks, but Facebook is the current king of the mountain and it makes sense considering that it was just last week heard Apple was looking to integrate Facebook into iPhone OS 4.

With the deep integration of social networking sites on various Android-based devices Apple does have some catching up to do. We all know, when Apple takes their time the final product usually tops all other implementations out there. Cut/Copy/Paste ring a bell? Good things come to those who wait.

[Patently Apple]

According to Patently Apple, Apple is laying the foundations for a potential iGroups app that would allow like-minded iPhone (or iPod touch and iPad users, presumably) to set up MobileMe-powered social networks at events like WWDC (Apple's yearly World Wide Developers Conference).

The idea is to allow groups of friends or colleagues attending such events as a concert, a tradeshow, business meeting, wedding or rally to stay in communication with each other as a group to share information or reactions to live events as they're occurring. The technology behind the new iGroup social networking applications works with a very sophisticated cryptographic key generation system to ensure security and privacy of your communications. Interestingly, the patent states that if one of the devices in your group happens to be without true positioning technology, it appears that Apple's MobileMe service will provide some sort of "virtual GPS" capability to that user so that they could be aware of the locations of others in the group. Apple's patent provides us with example scenarios of both a concert and WWDC event to clarify the service. This marks Apple's fourth social networking application made public since the start of 2010 - which clearly indicates that Apple now has this hot new sector in its crosshairs.

As with anything Apple patent-related, whether or not it ever makes its way in front of consumers is anyone's guess. Still, this looks interesting and given how other companies and devices are embracing the social experience, it's something Apple has to be paying attention to.

You want?

Patently Apple brings another interesting Apple proposal to our attention -- this one involving using the iPhone camera to detect swipes backward, forward, and the accelerometer to detect pause or play for things like Voice Mail without having to move the iPhone away from your ear. But that's not all:

Consider the following example of navigating the display screen. If the user wishes to scroll down on a webpage or text document, then the user would simply move their finger across the camera lens in an upward direction (i.e., towards the top of the screen 200). This would be consistent with moving the page "up" so as to bring a bottom portion of the page into view. To move the page down (and thereby bring a top portion of the page into view), the reverse needs to occur, i.e., the user needs to swipe across the lens in a downward direction. Note that navigation on the display screen (using a finger swipe across the camera lens) need not be limited to straight up and down, but rather could be performed in other or additional directions (e.g. left and right). Now that Apple is introducing "iBook" – think of flipping the page of a book using this method so that you don't even have to move your hands from the iPhone or future camera based iPad.

So now we've heard of case gestures, bevel gestures, and camera gestures... Of course Apple patents tons of stuff we haven't and may never see in real products, but are any of these starting to interest you?

[Patently Apple via MacRumors]

Apple patent applications and awards are so voluminous they could fill an entire blog all by themselves -- enter Patently Apple, just such a blog, which brings word of several new and interesting iPhone and iPad patents including near field communication, multipoint screen, video conferencing, and multitouch bezels.

Near field communication would allow incredibly simple, incredibly fast data transfer from an iPhone to a MacBook. It also looks like it would allow an iPhone to control a Mac or unlock a door.

Multipoint screen is all about allowing an iPad to detect multiple touches at the same time via a "transparent capacitive sensing medium".

Video conferencing has been teased for a long -- long -- time, but now it's also being looked at in the context of a location aware social network.

The touch sensitive bezel, when added to the previous touch sensitive back casing patent and the current touch sensitive screen would make a fully capacitive iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad! It could also add Palm Pre and Pixi-style gesture areas.

As always, Apple files for and obtains a large amount of patents, and we never know when, if ever, we'll see them in actual products. That being said, any of these make your want list?

[Thanks to Duvi for the tip!]

The Apple patents keep on rolling out and today the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office accepted Apple’s filing for a patent that would allow for contact icons to be placed on the home screen, along with the ability to invoke apps, retrieve and display contacts information, or dynamically display related information all tied to an individual contact.

"The icon can also be used to invoke one or more applications that are personalized to the contact. The icon can be modified to display information related to the contact. In one aspect, an icon associated with an entity can be temporarily displayed on the mobile device based on the proximity of the mobile device to the entity."

This is pure speculation on our part but it's possible you will see this patent come to life in the upcoming iPhone OS 4.0. Hopefully when January 27th comes we all will see what is in store for the future of the iPhone OS.

Now please excuse me while I go add a few more contacts on the home screen of my Moto Droid, since it's been doing that for a while.

One more screen shot after the break!

[Via Redmond Pie]

AppleInsider brings word of two interesting Apple patents, one involving user interfaces that changed depending on the user's situation, the other -- wait for it -- for an iPhone/iTablet stylus.

The stylus patent, credited to John G. Elias, co-founder of multitouch maestros, FingerWorks, involves:

"A metallic or otherwise conductive disk may be attached to one end of the stylus. The disk may be sized so as to guarantee sufficient electrical interaction with at least one sensory element of the touch sensor panel."

The dynamic multi-model seeks to give the iPhone UI some context sensitivity:

For example, using the device in the car or in the gym could show a different design on the screen. Devices could also be controlled in different fashions when they are docked and less portable, and a different design and input method might make more sense.

Next to your bed at night, in the car when navigating, linked to your home stereo for a party -- the possibilities are endlessly intriguing.

As always, just because Apple applies for a patent on something doesn't mean we'll ever see it in a consumer product. Still, would you benefit from a stylus? From context-sensitive user interfaces? Let us know!

The Baltimore Sun has regurgitated a recent Apple patent filing for a 3D, multitouch, zooming user interface. So the speculation jumps immediately to iTablet/iSlate and iPhone 4.0? Is this the "surprising interaction method" we'd heard rumored? Or just another in a long list of patents Apple may or may not ever get around to implementing in a real device? Place your bets in the comments!

[Baltimore Sun via Engagdet]

AppleInsider has come across an interesting patent from Apple, titled "Keystroke Tactility Arrangement on a Smooth Touch Surface that details a multi-touch tactile keyboard for an iTablet-like device:

"The articulating frame may provide key edge ridges that define the boundaries of the key regions or may provide tactile feedback mechanisms within the key regions. The articulating frame may also be configured to cause concave depressions similar to mechanical key caps in the surface."

"Preferably, each key edge comprises one to four distinct bars or Braille-like dots. When constructed in conjunction with a capacitive multi-touch surface, the key edge ridges should separated to accommodate the routing of the drive electrodes, which may take the form of rows, columns, or other configurations."

"Specifically, the recognition software commands lowering of the frame when lateral sliding gestures or mouse clicking activity chords are detected on the surface."

Another candidate for the rumored "surprising" tablet interaction method?

Tis the season for Apple patents, with both hyper-reality 3D displays, and a dynamic music and video system for better battery life on the iPhone and iPod.

First up, the hyper-reality 3D display -- perfectly timed for the Avatar hype as well, we'll note -- involves changing the perspective of 3D object on the display to match the tracked head position of the user. As MacRumors points out, this sounds similar to what Johnny Chung Lee has previously demonstrated with a Wiimote (see video embedded above).

Next up, Apple wants to track user preferences for volume and other settings and automagically apply them, and de-emphasize or skip songs the user seldom listens to. MacRumors also points out a second patent which would also alert users when there's not enough battery life left to play the movie they've just selected and offer to downgrade the video quality and/or reduce the brightness levels to try and get the whole thing in anyway.

As always, no one outside Steve Jobs knows if we humble consumers will ever see products using these patents, but it's nice to glimpse one of our possible infinite (loop) futures.

In the ever-envigorating game of "What's That Apple Patent for Anyway?" this time we get a look at a multi-touch click-wheel iTablet, a way to remotely control your Mac from your

First up, an un-thin looking iTablet-style device with a retro click-wheel but an even more interesting backstory, according to 9to5mac, as:

One of the patent applicants for Apple is a one Dr. Carlin Vieri. He's no longer with Apple (hel left just over a year ago). He happens to be the VP of Engineering for [rumored Apple iTablet screen supplier] Pixel Qi right now.

Second, a patent to allow the iPhone to remotely control your Mac either via gestures, specialized on-screen buttons, and/or Voice Control, as well as support for peripherals like printers. PatentlyApple has the goods, but from the sounds of it, you could email that new PDF home, launching Preview, deleting some pages, then sending it to the printer so it's waiting, warm and ready when you get in door.

Last, PatentlyApple also shows off a new kind of universal dock. It employs an elastic, spongy material that can morph into the shape of any iPod or iPhone, past, present, or future. Yes folks, it might just make the dock insert extinct.

As always, there's no telling when, if ever, Apple will make use any of these patents in ant consumer-facing product. But it's fun to watch.

AppleInsider has the goods on yet another Apple patent, this one for a "grab and go" simplified sync solution that would let iPhone users more easily and organically share bookmarks, iTunes content, Time Machine backups, business and personal documents, video game status, etc. between Macs, Apple TVs, the cloud, and other gear real and imagined:

The filing with the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office suggests a scenario where a user is sitting at their desk working on a document, when they are called into an unexpected meeting. While the user may have a number of personal applications running, they would only want to bring their work-related content with them. The preferences would allow the user to "grab" only files and data related to work from the computer.

As always, just because Apple applies for a patent doesn't mean there are immediate (or even eventual) plans to release products that offer those features. Still, we want. How about you?

Apple is reviewing 100 new claims they want added on a 10+ year old patents says Peter Hoddie on Twitter.

Hoddie ran the QuickTime team at Apple after the departure of original lead, Bruce Leak, and is currently co-founder of Kinoma, which develops multimedia solutions for Windows Mobile and Nokia S60. While he didn't elaborate on which patents or what additions were being reviewed, but given his former position, it's not hard to imagine it has to do with Apple's own multimedia framework.

A quick search of the US Patent Office shows Hoddie listed in the following QuickTime-related patents:

• User interface for presenting media information
• Techniques for capturing information during multimedia presentations
• Apparatus and method for storing a movie within a movie
• Methods and apparatuses for transmitting data representing multiple views of an object
• Method and apparatus for identifying user-selectable regions within multiple display frames
• Method and apparatus for synchronization of data retrieval and presentation
• System for data retrieval by scheduling retrieval if number of units scheduled equals or less than predetermined number and retrieving before or at time elapsed
• Method and apparatus for identifying user-selectable regions within multiple display frames

QuickTime has become one of the core display layers of both Mac OS X and iPhone OS X. So is Apple trying to secure against the future or setting up for some more patent pugilism? As Hoddie states, there's clearly a reason...

Synchronization of Media State Across Multiple Devices, one of the latest patents filed by Apple, aims to use MobileMe to make sure if you start watching a movie in iTunes or on the AppleTV, then switch to your iPhone, you're at the exact same place in the movie (and back again) -- with no USB sync required.

Last month, prompted by reader Seth Clifford, TiPb asked for just such "WhisperSync" (to use the Amazon Kindle term) functionality. Not only would this be great for users with multiple Windows, Macs, iPhones, and/or iPod touches, but it would be a great way for Apple to add value to MobileMe, whose $99 a year is non-competitive to say the least, especially for Windows users (who don't benefit from iLife, Back to my Mac, Mac sync, etc.) So, yeah, Apple -- make this happen!

[Patently Apple via Macworld via Engadget. Thanks @sethclifford!]

Apple has applied for a patent for "provisioning" services on a mobile device based on a custom carrier profile:

Carrier provisioning profiles are distributed to computing devices via an activation service during the provisioning process. The carrier provisioning profiles specify access limitations to certain device resources which may otherwise be available to users of the device.

What this all means for the carriers is that Apple could essentially give them control of approved and unapproved features and applications that come on the iPhone at the point of purchase. So if Verizon (or China) were to carry the iPhone and they see fit to remove Wi-Fi, it can be done. Or say AT&T wants you to use their AT&T Navigation application and no other GPS applications -- that too can be done. For Apple this means they free themselves from having to create various versions of firmware for each individual carrier.

Sadly for all of us, this could be a very bad sign of things to come. One of the main reasons we love the iPhone is the fact that Apple does not allow carriers to junk up the device with their own bloatware, common on other devices. Unfortunately that may all be coming to an end.

[Thanks for the tip Jeremiah! Via Arstechnica]

AppleInsider has found yet another multi-touch patent application, this one expanding on Apple's already massive portfolio to include the ability to recognize which finger is touching, distinguish between palms and fingers, and enable all manner of restin

unprecedented integration of typing, resting, pointing, scrolling, 3D manipulation, and handwriting into a versatile, ergonomic computer input device

Check out the full article for more, and let us know if you think this is more fuel for the iTablet hype machine, or if Apple could have something else up their sleeve?

Like an old episode of Star Trek, Apple patents provide us with a look at many possible futures for the iPhone, some of which -- but not all of which -- may one day be ours. Cases in point, AppleInsider rounds up the latest batch from Cupertino:

• Location-based home screen means a user would be presented with a dynamically generated Home Screen based on factors such as location (get off the plane, automagically be presented with local weather, maps, contacts, etc.)

• Speech-to-text would take what you say into the iPhone and transcribe it into editable text (similar to what many 3rd party apps offer now).

• Image transportation, where picture are automagically scaled and sent for display on a TV or similar external monitor.

• Event-based contact lists, hosted server-side, that would allow access for event participants.

• In-call file transfer would let users share a file with someone they're already talking to on the phone.

Yeah, iPhone 4.0 is coming when again?

According to Apple Insider, Apple has filed for a patent that would help them determine (we supposed prior to fulfilling any warranted repairs) whether an end user had subjected the iPhone or iPod to abuse including such as exposing it to extreme cold, heat, or moisture:

"The system may include an interface by which a diagnostic device may access the memory to analyze the records and determine whether a consumer abuse event occurred, when the event occurred, and, in some embodiments, what type of abuse event occurred," the patent reads. "By providing the capability to quickly and easily detect whether consumer abuse occurred in an electronic device, a vendor or manufacturer diagnosing a returned product may be able to better determine whether or not to initiate a product return under a warranty policy."

Yet Apple has also applied for a Karaoke patent, which for some poor iPhones or iPods, may end up being a far worse form of torture...

Apple Insider brings us a huge roundup of recent Apple iPhone-related patent filings.

First up is an ID App which lets users select from RFID, camera, or infrared input, or location data like GPS, to identify objects in their surroundings. (We'll spare you the tricorder jokes...)

Second is an outgoing voicemail recorder, which would record not the messages you receive, but those you leave for others.

Third is a way to sell iPhones and iPod's with pre-selected content. Metadata would be inserted during or just after manufacturing that would then download the content automagically when the user receives the device.

Fourth is for SMS parental controls, to filter out "objectionable content", and fifth would determine successful receipt of an SMS.

As always, there's no telling when, or if, Apple will ever actually ship any devices using any of these features. But it's fun to imagine the possibilities...

Waves iPhone around and makes tricorder noise

A slew of new Apple patent applications have come to light covering a rather odd range of functionality that may -- or may not -- make it into future iPhone software and hardware models.

First up is haptic feedback via a "grid of piezoelectronic actuators", which would provide a varied tactile response when touching the iPhone screen to better orient users (and let them type without locking their eyes on the keyboard, ideally).

Second is a technology that seeks to identify fingerprints -- i.e. not only that a user has touched the screen, but which specific finger touched the screen. So, for example, touching with the index finger would produce a different reaction than touching with the middle finger.

Third is for placing a RFID (radio frequency identification) reader in the screen so that, in addition to finger touches (and multi-touches), it could identify the unique tag given to objects as well.

Lastly is a method for letting users sing to the iPhone, and having the iPhone provide feedback on tone, pitch, etc. Basically, rating the quality of your karaoke -- or of the latest pre-packaged Hollywood auto-tune single, we imagine.

Again, there's no telling when, or if at all, Apple will release real-world products based on these patents, but they do give some hint as to which direction(s) Apple's thinking.

Anyone want any of the them now?

[Via MacRumors twice]

Apple Insider has unearthed another very cool, who-knows-if-they'll-ever-deploy-it, Apple patent pertaining to the iPhone. This one, credited to engineer Jeffrey Terlizzi pertains to media file sharing while already on a phone call:

"For example, the user may initiate a telephone call with his friend in order to ask the friend if she is familiar with a particular song," Apple said. "Once the phone call has been established between the user and his friend, the user may select the song of interest from his communications device, and he may send the song to his friend over the same communication path used by the communications device to establish the communications operation, so that the two may continue their phone conversation while the song plays simultaneously."

In addition to music, video, photos, voicemail, and podcasts are also mentioned, as are requests in the form of video conferencing (oh, hi, Mobile iChat!), and control over media playback during a call.

Forget 3.0, let the rumors for 3.1 and 4.0 begin! (Joking! A little...)

MacNN brings word that Apple, along with other assorted patents for the Mac Pro's riser card housing, OS X's GUI drawer-like windows, and the MacBook Air's multi-touch trackpad, Apple has been awarded a patent for:

the iPhone's casing design, highlighting elements like a divided construction and the ports at the top and bottom. Also visible are assorted speakers, buttons and switches, as well as the rough positioning of the camera. Many individuals are credited for the work, though notable inclusions are Apple's lead designer, Jonathan Ive, and the company's CEO, Steve Jobs.

Looks like the original iPhone 2G aluminum and plastic combo casing to our eyes, so unless the next-generation iPhone comes dressed a lot like the first gen, we'll just chalk this up to better late than un-awarded...

MacRumors has dug up an interesting Apple patent application that would try to mitigate the difficulty associated with tapping while moving (i.e. jogging, back seat of cab, etc.) by dynamically increasing the size of targets in the user interface when it detects jerky motion.

Will we ever see it in an actual iPhone? Who knows. Would it be helpful if, while you're trying to add a potential dates new contact info at the social while getting your krump on, the icons and input areas kept zooming up on you?

MacNN has unearthed an Apple patent that shows the concept of aluminum unibody design, first displayed in the current MacBook line, applied to iPods and even -- potentially -- the iPhone.

Gizmodo has presented some concepts along these lines before, though we're still not sure how Apple would get around interfering with the 3G HSPA, and future 3.5G HSPA+ and 4G LTE and other radios inside a connected device (which is why they switched to plastic in the current gen iPhone to begin with).

Still, from a sheer design, build quality, and fit and finish perspective... drool.

[Image via Gizmodo]

No, not unlocking the iPhone from AT&T (JAR!), unlocking the iPhone so you can use it. Slide to unlock, passcode unlock, that kind of unlock. Okay, now if you're still reading, Apple Insider has found some patent filings that suggest Apple is exploring things like biometrics (i.e. it reads your fingerprint while you slide to unlock), facial recognition (i.e. uses the camera to analyze who you are/might be) and pattern matching (i.e. choose unique shape combinations as a passcode). But it doesn't stop there:

Apple goes so far as to suggest the possibility of recognizing the user's distinctive voice or even collecting DNA samples to recognize a user's genetic sequence. Biometrics could also be context-sensitive and detect the shape of a user's ear before allowing a call to go through, for example.

Of course, many, many Apple iPhone patents have yet to see the light of day, so there's no telling when, if ever, this functionality will be built into future iPhones. Still, it's always nice to Apple is working on possibilities for those future iPhones.

But we have to admit, some of this is just so sci-fi we kinda want to see if they can really do it...

Apple patents are strange and mysterious things. Like sums over futures, they give us a peek at thousands of strands of potentiality, but no clue about eventuality. In other words, Apple patents tons of stuff, most of which we never see in actual consumer products. Some of these, however, are pretty interesting looking. The Register says:

One of the applications describes a "host machine" - looking much like an iMac in the accompanying drawings - that has battery-charging slots built into its body.

A second describes how the host machine could communicate wirelessly with mobile devices to monitor their battery power, notify users when it was time for a charge, and talk with other host machines about the state of the batteries it's servicing.

A third describes a "intelligent universal rechargeable batteries" with pop-off end-caps that allow "battery chemicals" to be swapped out when they've reached the end of their productive lives.

The Black&Decker approach of one-battery-to-charge-them-all seems so un-Apple, but it would be convenient to a large segment of handy consumers. TiPb also recalls a previous patent that showed a MacBook docking into an iMac, so why not go from broke, Apple, and give us the iPhone to MacBook to iMac "Russian Doll" gadget? Check out the full article, linked above, for all the details, and let us know which, if any, tempt you.

(Thanks to Phil, news editor over at sibling site WMExperts for the tip!)

Apple Insider brings word that Apple has filed a patent for:

an ambient sound sensor to the iPhone that would allow the handset to adjust its ringtone volume to its surrounding audio environment, which would ameliorate potentially-disruptive audio outputs.

Sounds nifty! In addition, Apple has also filed for a patent for self-cleansing audio jacks:

An alternative cleansing method would allow the end portion of the adaptor plug to rotate freely through the application of compressed air. This method, Apple said, would force debris from the jack as the adaptor plug is removed and the switches that hold the plug in the jack are closed.

Of course, many of these patents never see the light of day, but we like that Apple is exploring many different alternatives for future iPhone development.

What makes capacitive touch displays so responsive is what makes them so unfriendly to hostile environments: they need skin-to-screen contact. Well, technically, they need the electric field around skin, and yet another Apple patent makes it seem like the iPhone team is figuring out a way for us to stay warm and still enjoy the multi-touch lifestyle. Says Apple Insider:

Apple's solution would give gloves a second, inner layer beyond the surface that would simulate the electrical feedback of human fingers when exposed to the outside. Apertures at each fingertip would let users peel back the outer, more weatherproof layer to leave a finger protected only by the inner layer but capable of using touchscreen devices with roughly the same responsiveness as bare skin.

It's freezing cold outside as I write this. Face hurting, lung searing, -17c, colder with the wind-chill coldy cold cold outside. So cold, in fact, that the thought of pulling off a downy mitten to "swipe my iPhone" has me cursing at the mere thought of a call. So, add a steaming mug of hot cocoa (the beverage, not the programming language!) and I'm sold. How about you, any other frozen iPhone users want to get your iGloves on?

MacRumors brings word of yet more Apple patents passing through the system, this time focusing on multi-touch gestures. How can you patent a gesture? Don't get us started. The USPO has raised the bar on ludicrous so high a giant could now safely run under it. The particulars of this one is interesting to anyone interested in the iPhone interface, however:

For example, erasing and basic punctuation insertion, directional swipes (also referred to herein as "swipe gestures") over the alphabetic keys can be used as an alternative to striking certain keys. Because the Space and Backspace keys are quite frequently used, they are logical candidates for the rightward and leftward swipes, respectively. Leftward and rightward swipes intuitively match the cursor travel caused by these symbols. Following this cursor movement analogy, the Enter/Return may be invoked by a downward swipe, and a Shift/Caps may be invoked by an upward swipe. Alternatively, as the Enter and Shift functions may be less frequently invoked, these may be substituted for other functions as well. One alternative mapping for the upward swipe, for example, could be to activate an alternative numeric and punctuation keypad or a particular punctuation symbol like an apostrophe or period.

Our question? Where's the cut/copy paste gesture already?!

Apple has had more success than anyone marketing multi-touch as of late -- we give you, the iPhone. But how far can even Apple push this technology? Right to the line? Past the line? Apple Insider sheds light on a new patent application that might just be way over the line:

portable multi-touch skins that can be wrapped around three-dimensional objects such as an iPod or steering wheel to provide addition GUI interfaces for those objects that can be configured via the touch skins themselves.

Too. Many. Jokes. Flooding. Blogsphere.

Apple envisions people using them to control music on steering wheels, or on tennis rackets for instruction. We'll let you entertain yourselves with your own predictions, b'okay?

In similar fashion to the patent for a today screen, Apple Insider is reporting Apple's new filing shows a way of displaying icon-like status indicators on the iPhone's display even though the phone is locked with the backlight not turned on. Apple seems to be paying attention lately to alerts/notifications and that is great news!

Apple proposes the implementation of a dual backlight system, where a secondary, low-power backlight system would be positioned behind the primary backlight system. The always-on light provided by the secondary backlight system could then be projected through one or more transparent or semitransparent regions of the primary backlight system to reach the display even when the primary backlight is turned off.

The lack of a feature similar to this is one of the current iPhone's biggest complaints. You leave your iPhone on a table and you walk out of the room for 5 minutes... during that time you get a email or missed call... you get sidetracked and don't turn your phone on... you never know that a message is waiting for you. No blinking LED, no second audible alerts (unless it's a SMS message), nothing. That is a major gripe that I hear over and over regarding the iPhone.

So as soon as this is actually a reality, it will give the haters one less reason to complain. It's just too bad we will all have to wait until a future iPhone to see this feature.

[Via Apple Insider]

UPDATE: There was a minor uproar in the iPhone developer community (yup, again!) when some felt that this patent "ripped off" Intelliscreen. Ars Technica points out, however, that this patent was originally filed before the iPhone was even jailbroken, and hence before Intelliscreen came out.

ORIGINAL:

We have YAAPA! (Yet Another Apple Patent Application!) This one, brought to us by Apple Insider, outlines Global Preferences Dialogs and Improved Notification of Missed Communications, or what is essentially a Today Screen for the iPhone:

"In response to detecting an interaction by a user with the device, the plurality of icons display notification information for the plurality of communication modalities," the filing explains. "In response to detecting an unlock interaction by the user with the device, the device is unlocked, and a communication in the plurality of communications is presented that was received while the device was in the locked state, or information about the communication is presented."

Of course, Windows Mobile has had this for years, and it's pretty much the only thing I really still miss about that platform (don't tell Dieter!). Likewise, iPhone Jailbreakers, have been enjoying this for a while now via Intelliscreen.

For the rest of us, all this same information, has been kept each piece in its own separate little world divided by countless taps and swipes. So the idea of an information rich, at-a-glance summation of my most recent communications and upcoming activities? Now please.

Patent-mania running wild from Apple is nothing new, though these recent filings do seem a tad focused on enabling new form factors, don't they? To go along with the iFlip and iPhone Nano, and the iSlider, comes a little something that just might allow for an iStylus:

Another interesting possibility raised is the use of both capacitance (finger tip) and resistance (fingernail) to provide secondary functionality in future touch screens. [...] Apple suggests the addition of pressure sensitivity to provide additional functionality. For example, touching an item in a list with your fingertip would select it, while pressing it with your fingernail (or otherwise shielded finger or stylus) could bring up a pop-up menu (see picture above).

It's suggested that the patent could make things like text selection and -- wait for it -- cut and paste much easier to multi-touch, with the resistance input being akin to a right-button action on a mouse. Of course, we all know how much Steve Jobs loves buttons, never mind his audible YUCK! at the concept of a stylus.

However, resistance touch could be a blessing to those with long nails, who have complained that they have trouble getting the fleshy part of their finger to properly make contact with the current capacitance sensors. No matter how outdated (--cough--Treo 600--cough--) the technology is.

But never mind what I think, are you hankering to get your iStylus on? And if so, why so?

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First came the iPod, then came the iPod Nano. Well, okay, there was the intermediary Mini, but that's neither here nor there. Eventually -- and currently -- there was -- and is -- the Nano. So it should come as no surprise that ever since Steve Jobs dropped the iPhone bomb back at Macworld 2007, people (and analysts, who may still technically be people?) have been predicting an iPhone Nano.

And now some Apple patents have been revealed which may just bring it a few technical hurdles closer to being!

In a nutshell, it covers a method for making an iPhone-style touchscreen out of "sensor panel substrate called polyethylene terephthalate (PET)". It's directed towards an iPod Classic style device, although an example phone is also detailed, but in our iPhone world, we're imagining it might also one day find its way into an iPhone Nano as well...

Check the read link for a much more in depth rundown...

Read

Another day, another Apple patent. This one's a biggie, the whole iPhone enchilada. Current functionality and future potentials (web clips? blogging app?) all rolled into one monstrous document, and all sitting beneath the top-tiered name of Steve Jobs. Yup. According the US Patent Office, El Jobso was the architect of the iPhone. And you know what that means!

[Carrier signal intercept...]

Upon first inspection, while preposterous, it remains equally irrefutable that recent filings, previously unrevealed but now extricated from the plethora of Apple applied patents, demonstrate undeniably, if indefensibly, that no mere hardware engineer, software programmer, or industrial designer envisioned the integral experience of multiple touch-based interface melded to gloss-black glass and immaculate aluminum. No. Only the One, Steven P. Jobs, through systematic application of unparalleled will, was and remains sole and primary architect of the harmonious singularity that is iPhone.

[Signal terminated...]

Hit the read link for the usual diagrams and verbiage.

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Okay, so technically Apple isn't patenting "Spidey Sense" (TM Marvel Comics, of course), but a system to warn users of impending dropped signals, be they cellular or WiFi.

So, by way of example, if I called Steve Jobs to tell him I snapped a pick of the iPhone 3.0 prototype, and Rogers' service began to cut out, I'd get a notification (sound, alert dialog, or vibe) warning me I was going to lose the signal, and on his end, El Jobso would likewise be alerted.

If my device happened to have an accelerometer and GPS (hello, iPhone 3G!), location, velocity, etc. could be weighed into the alert equation. So, if I was driving away from Cupertino at a hurried rate, spy shots in hand, the iPhone could factor that into calculating how long it would be until I lost signal.

In a second filing, Apple is also working on a way to find lost, Blue Tooth equipped devices, from currently equipped gear like headsets, to tiny BT enabled chips placed on anything from your keys to your kids.

Again, using different data sets like signal strength, the iPhone could figure out which direction and at what distance the missing item (or small human) is located, using helpful cues like volume and frequency of alerts to re-create the classic game of "cold... warm... warmer... hot... on FIRE!"

Check the read link for all the official diagrams and verbiage.

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"They could be a great people. They wish to be. They only lack the light to power their devices. For this reason above all, their capacity to consumer data, I have sent them you, my only phone..."

According to a recently unearthed patent filed in late April, Apple is looking into having the iPhone join the Last Son of Krypton in drawing energy directly from the yellow sun.

The patent describes sandwiching a layer of (semi-)transparent photo-sensitive cells below the glass and LCD and above the Flex PCB, and could apply equally to iPods and even MacBooks.

While definitely future-thinking, it could well make removable battery concerns a thing of the past.

[In homage, and with apologies to, Alex Ross, John Williams, Marlon Brando, Richard Donner, and Bryan Singer.]

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