PatentlyApple Articles on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog

Apple files patent for app access on lockscreen

by Mike Schramm (Apr 4th, 2013)

Apple has filed a patent for something I would love to see implemented in a future iOS update: Quick access to certain apps directly from the iPhone's lockscreen. Patently Apple says that the patent application outlines a system of rotating the "slide to unlock" slider on iOS' lockscreen ...

Apple sued for LED lighting in iPad 3, MacBook Pro

by Steven Sande (Oct 15th, 2012)

Another day, another lawsuit. Patently Apple reports that LED Tech of Tyler, Texas has named Apple in a patent infringement suit, claiming that the third-generation iPad and MacBook Pro are infringing products. These products use pulse-width modulation signals to drive light-emitting diodes, ...

Apple wins patent for "Techniques and systems for supporting podcasting"

by Kelly Hodgkins (Aug 22nd, 2012)

The US Patent and Trademark Office granted Apple another handful of patents this week, according to Patently Apple. Among this group is a patent (US 8,245,924) that describes "Techniques and systems for supporting podcasting." These techniques include ways for "hosting, accessing, subscribing, ...

Apple wins patents for Apple TV nav, DVR features

by Kelly Hodgkins (Aug 15th, 2012)

Apple was recently granted a patent (no. 8,243,017) that describes a video device with an onscreen menu, a recording feature and a channel navigation system. Patently Apple hypothesizes that this patent describes a way the Apple TV could be used to display, record and control the playback of ...

Patently Apple theorizes what Safari 3D would be like

by Steven Sande (May 25th, 2012)

Patently Apple keeps an eye on all of the patents coming out of Cupertino, California, and they've been seeing a lot of patents for a 3D interface for Safari. This does not mean that you'll be wearing special glasses to do web browsing; instead, it describes a way in which existing Apple ...

Apple, Steve Jobs win patents for Shanghai Apple Store design

by Steven Sande (Mar 20th, 2012)

Apple is constantly adding patents to its portfolio of intellectual property, many of which are not directly associated with the design or operation of the consumer electronics products the company makes. Patently Apple reported today on a patent awarded to the company and late founder and CEO ...

Apple files for iCloud trademark in Europe

by Kelly Hodgkins (Jun 1st, 2011)

All the pieces are falling into place for Apple's iCloud service. On Tuesday, Apple confirmed the name and told us all it will be introduced at WWDC; Apple's trademark application hit the European Trademark Office later that day. The trademark covers everything from telecommunications and ...

Apple patent reveals unused iPad design with two USB slots

by Kelly Hodgkins (May 10th, 2011)

In his last appearance during an earnings conference call last year, Steve Jobs hinted that Apple tested several designs for the iPad during its development stage. One of these possible designs may have reared its ugly head in a patent application recently approved by the USPTO. This patent ...

Apple patent suggests Photo Booth for iOS

by Kelly Hodgkins (Feb 23rd, 2011)

Patently Apple uncovered a new patent that describes an iOS variant of the Photo Booth app that may be under development for the iPad, iPhone and iPod touch. The patent describes an image capture and effects system that can be triggered by external cues such as shaking your phone. A new setting ...

Apple patent offers peek at E-Wallet icon... or does it?

by Steven Sande (Feb 22nd, 2011)

Patently Apple is running another of its excellent, exhaustively detailed listings of Apple's recently awarded patents. In the description of one of the awards, the site pointed out what they believe is an icon for an "E-Wallet" app, possibly pertaining to a Near Field Communications (NFC)-based ...

Apple patents suggest iPad "kickstand," graphics pen

by Mike Schramm (Feb 3rd, 2011)

Apple's R&D is always hard at work coming up with various ideas for Apple products, and when they do, Apple usually lays down the paperwork for patents on them, whether they're destined for actual release or not. A few of these wacky ideas have popped up in the USPTO lately, and while they'll ...

Voice behind antennagate song records a patent ditty

by Matt Tinsley (Jan 28th, 2011)

Remember that awesome antennagate song? You know, the one that was screened at the start of Apple's July 16th 2010 press conference all about the iPhone 4's antenna. Well..., Jonathon Mann, the guy who wrote and recorded it for his song-a-day project, has released another Apple-centric ditty. The ...

iPad patent suggests landscape dock connector ... again

by Mike Schramm (Nov 24th, 2010)

We've heard about this before, but a new patent illustration hints again at a second dock in a future version of the iPad, one that will enable you to both charge and sync your iPad from a landscape setup. Honestly, it seems a little redundant to have two dock connectors on there, since you'll ...

New Apple patents for iPhone, wide trackpad, Final Cut Pro, and Apple Mail

by Mike Schramm (Nov 17th, 2010)

Patently Apple's got a whole slew of new patent applications from Cupertino today. First up are the actual product designs of the original iPhone and the second-gen iPod shuffle. Apple's moved on from both of these designs to newer and better things, but they're putting the patents in anyway, just ...

Apple considering MagSafe charger on iPad

by Matt Tinsley (Oct 11th, 2010)

Here's something to get your mind wondering this Monday afternoon. Patently Apple is reporting that Apple may be considering integrating the MagSafe Power Port to its portable products, like the iPad. The continuation patent, published on October 7th 2010 by the US Patent and Trademark Office, ...