iPhone Buzz » Patent App

Apple inductive charging patent app, Vonage app, iPhone 5 in China for October launch

Shane McGlaun — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 15:38:53 +0000

A patent app has surfaced from Apple that shows different methods of charging without wires. One odd method has the user wrap their headphones around a charge tower and charges and another uses sound vibrations for charging.

Vonage has a new app called Time to Call that allows the user to call all around the world using VoIP. The app also allows the user to pay via iTunes so they don’t have to enter credit card details or register.

A rumor has the iPhone 5 and a simplified iPhone 4 hitting China in October. That launch date is in line with rumors we have heard elsewhere about the device launching.

Apple patent apps for stylus’ surface, App Store hits 15B downloads, Apple promises fix for PDF exploit

Shane McGlaun — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 14:44:32 +0000

Two new patent applications have surfaced that Apple filed more recently than most we see. The apps show stylus pens for the iPhone and iPad with one that can shoot whatever you write on any surface to the iPhone or iPad.

The App Store has hit another milestone with downloads. Apple has announced that 15 billion downloads have now been made.

Apple has promised to fix the flaw in PDF handling that leaves the device open to security threats. Apple offered no idea when the fix would come, simply saying it would land in a future update.

IR iOS camera patent app, iShuttr accessory, shared data plan hints from AT&T

Shane McGlaun — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 15:43:21 +0000

A patent app has surfaced that outlines a new Apple system that would integrate IR tech with the camera inside an iPhone. The tech would be able to stop people from taking pics of some things and give more details about things viewed though the camera like museum exhibits.

The iShuttr case will turn your iPhone into a point and shoot camera. The case has a shutter button, internal battery, and a bright flash. The case is seeking funding right now on Kickstarter.

AT&T has been dropping hints that shared data plans might be in the near future. AT&T CEO would not elaborate on the timeline for the shared plan.

Apple building gaming PR team, What is FaceTime, smart bezels patent

Shane McGlaun — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 12:55:09 +0000

Apple is apparently getting ready to take mobile gaming on the iPhone and other devices big time. Apple has reportedly hired Robert Saunders from Nintendo UK and Activision’s Nick Grange for its marketing team.

Sister site SlashGear has a story for the iPhone noob looking to understand what FaceTime really is. The story is called “What is Apple FaceTime” and will give you all the details.

A patent app surfaced from Apple that hints at tech that we might see in future iPhones and other devices. The app shows smart bezels on an iPhone that can be used to input data and to control the iPhone.

Apple hover sensor patent app, Dev Team waits for public iOS 4.2.5 & 4.3 before offering unlock, Verizon never in running for original iPhone

Shane McGlaun — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 13:21:06 +0000

A new Apple patent application has surfaced that shows a new sensor that may come to future iPhones that can sense when people hover over the device. The sensor would apparently be on the back and what exactly it would be used for is unknown, perhaps hover navigation using a finger?

The Dev Team has announced that it will not offer unlocks for the iPhone until iOS 4.2.5 and 4.3 are made public. The reason according to MuscleNerd is that most people can’t take advantage of the unlocks until the OS is public.

Verizon’s CEO has admitted that the wireless giant was never in the running to get the original iPhone. According to the CEO Verizon will take the lead in 4G iPhone hardware too.

iHome iP90 clock updated, Patent app hints at heart rate ID, iPhone HD saga continues

Shane McGlaun — Thu, 06 May 2010 14:25:33 +0000

The amount of accessories and docks on the market for the iPhone and iPad is staggering. iHome makes a lot of these items and has announced that its high-end iP90 alarm clock has been updated for 2010.

Apple has filed a new patent application that shows an interesting way to tell who is using the phone. The app outlines a heart rate sensor that is built into the case and reads the heart rate to identify the user.

The saga of police raids and legal wrangling surrounding the publishing of the iPhone HD prototype on Gizmodo are legendary. A judge presiding over the case has now been told that the documents that are secret right now outlining why the search of the Gizmodo editors home was allowed should be public. These sorts of documents are public record in most cases.

New iPhone patents surface

Shane McGlaun — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 16:46:06 +0000

It’s always interesting when new patents surface for products like the iPhone. The patent applications give us a glimpse at what the future iPhones will look like.

Two new patent applications from Apple have surfaced that have to do with new features for the iPhone. The first app is called “Auto messaging to currently connected caller”. This covers something like writing an SMS message to a person at the same time you are sending an email or another file.

The second patent application is called “Speakerphone control for Mobile device”. It has to do with using sensors to automatically turn the speakerphone on when you set it down or turn the speakerphone off when you put it to your ear.

[via UnwiredView]