iGroups patent suggests Apple is looking at social networking

A new Apple patent is going around that offers up something called "iGroups" functionality -- it seems to be a kind of location-based social networking, including an ad-hoc currency functionality between a crowd of Apple devices. It's pretty interesting, though it sounds more like an idea Apple is playing with than an actual service they're going to debut. They specifically mention rock concerts and tradeshows (including WWDC), with the plan that someone would start up a "group," and then individual group members in the same location (determined by GPS) would be able to hook into that group and/or exchange contact info or "tokens" with other members of the same group. Not quite a Foursquare or Facebook competitor (this definitely seems like a much more local service), but a new kind of ad-hoc network based on the idea that everyone in the area who is using an Apple device can connect up in new ways.

The "token" idea is interesting, too -- it adds a gaming element to the situation that seems very un-Apple. That, more than anything else, is what makes me think this is Apple just covering their bases rather than securing an idea that they plan to put into action. Still, a lot of Apple's services (MobileMe, iWork, and so on) tend to be more traditional rather than innovative -- they innovate on hardware and often play catch-up on software -- they do it well, of course, but their specialty is polish, not necessarily. Diving into a newer arena like social networking would be an interesting move for Apple.

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Source: http://www.macrumors.com/2010/03/18/apple-files-for-patent-o…

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A new Apple patent is going around that offers up something called "iGroups" functionality -- it seems to be a kind of location-based...

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Seth

That patent picture has some nice additions at the top of the device.

March 19 2010 at 12:13 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Jaz

Apple realizes that they need to diversify or at least be ready on a moment notice to do it, everyone else is doing it, Google is entering almost every industry out there. This iGroup thing actually is not un Appple, they have millions of users on the iPhone and soon the iPad, so this make sense from a revenue stand point. iPhone+iGroup+Quattro wireless mobile ads. It's all about the dough!

March 18 2010 at 10:22 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

matt

"Catch-up" on software? Apple has the most advanced OS and the leading creativity suite. Software is what sells the hardware, for the most part, and the story's view to the contrary is off base. I will say that their "cloud services"--like MobileMe and iWork--have not led the industry.

March 18 2010 at 9:54 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Jeff

Why is this even a patent? This is software. Goddamn I hate software patents.

March 18 2010 at 9:12 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

caryfitz

At companies like Apple, there is a *huge* difference between filing a patent and "working on something." Apple has 2975 patents, 575 applications that have made it far enough into the process to be published and some number more that are not that far through the process (it can take a couple of years to get to the published state). Because of the way that intellectual property laws is practiced these days, companies are *highly* incented to have large patent portfolios, even if most of the intellectual property is junk or not relevant to their business.

March 18 2010 at 8:53 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Anthony

It's very un-apple?

I thought their slogan was "Think Different." But whatever...

March 18 2010 at 8:36 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply