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Apple files for iPhone instant messaging patent

by Cory Bohon Apr 21st 2008 at 11:00PM

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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The one feature that most of us iPhone owners want is native instant messaging. With the upcoming SDK release, instant messaging apps will...
 

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meeee

I don't really care what they're patenting but I just want them to make this available over EDGE (they've blocked out Skype's VOIP over EDGE already) and that this will be connectible to gTalk and MSN.

April 23 2008 at 2:17 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
alex

In normal use, users would continue to use the same bubble chat interface as with today's phone, complete with the ability to start new messages by searching through the contact list or typing the first few letters of someone's name.
http://hacktheiphoneitouch.blogspot.com/

April 22 2008 at 11:48 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Tired_

I wonder if they're going for this patent so they can use it as a blunt instrument to beat down any third-party apps with this kind of functionality.

April 22 2008 at 10:55 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Joel

I doubt that "the one feature" that most iPhone users want is native instant messaging. For me, SMS works fine for those times when I want to "instantly" message someone and like most busy people I know I do not have time to be having IM conversations all the time. In fact, I stopped using Yahoo IM, iChat, and AIM long ago.

What I'd like on the iPhone is Epocrates (a medical app; I'm a doc), a note-taking app that syncs both ways to my Mac, and a faster network.

Shame you can't poll the whole group of iPhone users to find what they want, as I'm sure your readership is a tiny subset of the world of iPhone users.

April 22 2008 at 6:27 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
2 replies to Joel's comment
Anand

Well, two of those three things are coming. A 3G iPhone is expected in the coming months and Epocrates has already announced an iphone version of their software.

April 22 2008 at 9:47 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Ted

Heres a clip of the Epocrates demo that was done at the SDK event.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6P_fDSvLECM

If you want a much better video then just watch the SDK event video on the apple website.

April 22 2008 at 1:07 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Joel

I doubt that "the one feature" that most iPhone users want is native instant messaging. For me, SMS works fine for those times when I want to "instantly" message someone and like most busy people I know I do not have time to be having IM conversations all the time. In fact, I stopped using Yahoo IM, iChat, and AIM long ago.

What I'd like on the iPhone is Epocrates (a medical app; I'm a doc), a note-taking app that syncs both ways to my Mac, and a faster network.

Shame you can't poll the whole group of iPhone users to find what they want, as I'm sure your readership is a tiny subset of the world of iPhone users.

April 22 2008 at 6:27 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
azz0r

Does that picture have 3 buttons at the bottom? You know, adding another two buttons at the bottom would be a god send.

April 22 2008 at 4:40 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to azz0r's comment
iDarbert

They're not buttons, they represent the accelerometer and the microphone.

April 22 2008 at 6:23 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Bobo

I just use Meebo with the iPhone.
What's the big whoop over a native app?

April 22 2008 at 1:34 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Bobo's comment
Chris

Besides more features and non-web-based UI, it also won't disconnect you from the Meebo network whenever you back out of Safari.

April 22 2008 at 1:38 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Joshua Clayton

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)

April 22 2008 at 1:31 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Daniel Vargas

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.

April 22 2008 at 1:20 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Ryan

Why would they patent an IM app for a phone? So Apple is in on the frivolous BS software patent game also?

April 22 2008 at 1:10 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
5 replies to Ryan's comment
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