Filed under: Internet Tools, Apple, iPhone
Apple files for iPhone instant messaging patent
The one feature that most of us iPhone owners want is native instant messaging. With the upcoming SDK release, instant messaging apps will most likely not be able to run in the background (in other words, they may not receive messages when the phone is sleeping or doing other things). However, AppleInsider is reporting on an Apple patent for instant messaging on the iPhone that was filed in August of last year, but just granted in March of this year. The drawing included with the patent filing looks identical to the SMS application on the iPhone, with some key differences, one of which is word suggestions that appear as bubbles above the keyboard. AppleInsider also reports that this service could be used as a substitute for MMS (multi media messaging) which the current iPhone is lacking.
You can read the full patent filing on the USPTO's website.
[via AppleInsider]
Thanks, James!
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
mmendoza27 said 11:22PM on 4-21-2008
Woooowwww, this sounds nice. Everyone complains about lack of MMS (which I really could care less), but a native IM app, that would be nice. It'd be cool if you could log in to different things like AIM, Yahoo!, MSN, etc. but I kinda doubt it. Interesting how it was granted in March....
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Bender Bending Rodriguez said 11:30PM on 4-21-2008
It was submitted in Aug 2007. The interesting thing is that the patent specifically notes IM protocols used by MS, Y!, AOlL and Google so it may not be to far fetched. Especially that outside the US AIM is not the majority holding of IM users.
miltos said 11:34PM on 4-21-2008
I wonder if a more iPhone savvy person could help me out here. I am waiting with bated breath for the 3G Iphone (I don't have the current one) and am keeping my eye on all the rumors flying. What I'm trying to understand is what the implications of the SDK are on existing applications. There are a ton of great apps out there right now, but I can't tell what we could expect to be available on 2.0. I am getting that the SDK does not give applications access to background processing, but am not sure how to translate that into what 3rd party applications will and won't be available (obviously, IM may not). Can anyone clarify?
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Bender Bending Rodriguez said 11:43PM on 4-21-2008
The SDK regulations state that 3rd party apps can't 'run' in the background. They can use the microphone, speaker, camera, and WiFi. Though the rules do seem to indicate that Bluetooth is currently off limits.
For instance, there is nothing preventing Mozilla to port their Mobile FF to the iPhone as a 3rd party app. Also, they can even Flash support to the app, but it would all have to be self contained in the app and not a separate plugin that would have to be executed separately as only ONE 3rd party app can run at once and not in the background. (That was an example, I wouldn't hold our breath for Flash of Mobile FF on the iPhone.
julian said 11:56PM on 4-21-2008
what does optical sensor mean in the patent filing
could this refer to the front camera kevin rose was describing
or how about the screen+camera described in one of apple's patents
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Bender Bending Rodriguez said 12:34AM on 4-22-2008
HAHA no. That optical sensor adjusted the auto brightness for the display.
julian said 12:36AM on 4-22-2008
oh ya
thanks
Chris said 7:16AM on 4-23-2008
The sensor that turns the screen off when you put the phone near your face.
Ron Sell said 1:12AM on 4-22-2008
MMS is a must for me. I so miss it.
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Andrew said 3:13AM on 4-22-2008
If that's the case just install it... I have SwirlyMMS running on my iPhone and it works great. Now, if I only had some need for MMS!
Tony said 6:08AM on 4-22-2008
It's a pity swirlyMMS is so limited - pictures only, no text, can't send ringtones/receive ringtones, etc.
I carry a second phone that does all that (cheap payT phone) plus bluetooth tethering that I need to keep my GPS traffic whilst travelling. Can't see apple fixing it - the don't 'get' MMS and Bluetooth, and seem to have confused SMS with IM.
Ryan said 1:10AM on 4-22-2008
Why would they patent an IM app for a phone? So Apple is in on the frivolous BS software patent game also?
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Jon said 2:23AM on 4-22-2008
I think that says more about the Patent Office than it does about Apple...
jon said 6:09AM on 4-22-2008
That was my first reaction - they've just patented... Instant Messaging. It's not even a new and revolutionary idea - there have been Java applications for mobiles that will do IM for years.
What's next? "Apple issued a patent for receiving phone calls. On a phone!"
Chris said 7:19AM on 4-23-2008
Something tells me you didn't read any of the paptent. They aren't patenting instant messaging but certain very clear aspects of instant messaging as they relate to the iPhone. For example, you will notice in the text a lot of descriptions about how to place the cursor in different locations, make corrections, use of suggestions...
Sparks said 12:17PM on 4-23-2008
This is an unfortunate reality of things these days; you could call it self-defensive patenting.
If Apple didn't put in a patent like this and tried to do an IM client, and then say it turns out that someone else had a client for Blackberries and goes, 'oh, we patented mobile IM, either pay up or kill your IM app,' they're kinda in a bad place.
There's a depressing number of patents that are filed this way, defensively, so that if someone tries to sue you over some supposed software idea infringing on their patent, you can say "Okay, well, you infringe on THIS one. Wanna settle?" What's really unfortunate is that when smaller companies go under, their patent portfolios can get eaten by patent-holding-companies; at that point, defensive-patents can turn into yet another patent troll situation where you have a company whose business model is entirely owning and licensing patents rather than making anything.
And unfortunately BECAUSE of the patent litigation mindset, this sort of patent that Apple's filed is becoming nearly a necessity for company planning, so that you have something to cover your ass when someone else comes snooping around for possible patent infringements they can sue over.
The whole patent system needs an overhaul. :(
Ryan said 12:31PM on 4-23-2008
Yeah, software. Like I said.
Daniel Vargas said 1:30AM on 4-22-2008
To Ron:
Yeah meee toooo. I've been craving the MMS.. I don't really care for the IM, I'll leave that to the high school kids, but I could really benefit from the MMS. I hate having to provide a story every time someone finds out that the iphone "the number 1 cutting edge phone on the market" does not have such a basic/elementary application.
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Joshua Clayton said 11:54AM on 4-22-2008
it's about time! i was actually surprised this wasn't on the iPhone originally. and that no apps have come out that work at least semi-well.
mms would be nifty too. i'm also slightly surprised that isn't there either. i can browse facebook on my phone (well) but someone can't send me a picture from there crappy phone? i mean ... seriously? (yes i know they could email it but most people don't realize that until i have to spend 5 minutes typing in a friggin password on some website to see it)
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BB said 1:34AM on 4-22-2008
I just use Meebo with the iPhone.
What's the big whoop over a native app?
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