Patently Apple

Apple May Introduce a New Design Concept for the MacBook Air

 
Taiwan's DigiTimes reported on July 15, 2010 that Apple is preparing their next generation MacBook Air to sport an 11.6 inch display and an Intel Core i-series processor. But the news didn't stop there. The statement that followed was a loaded statement that may point to the MacBook Air gaining a new design and concept. This report looks at two or more possible concepts that might make the cut this fall.

 

An FCC Document Points to Apple's New Magic TrackPad for August

 
The FCC released an October 7, 2009 testing report yesterday that may in fact confirm that Apple is nearing the final stages of a Bluetooth device that is thought to be that of a stand-alone trackpad of sorts. This would theoretically support Apple's February 2010 trademark filing for a "Magic TrackPad." This report presents you with the one slip-up in the Apple filing that proves it's a trackpad along with other documents, including one that may actually point to an estimated release date of the Magic Trackpad for sometime in August. 

Apple Wins Patents for Dashboard & Future iPad Feature

 
The US Patent and Trademark Office officially published a series of 12 newly granted patents for Apple Inc. today of which two were for design patents including one for Apple's 3G iPhone. The notables within the remainder of this group include one relating to Apple's OS X feature known as Dashboard and perhaps most importantly, Apple has won a strategically important multi-touch patent covering a visual expander that may be used in a future iteration of the iPad or other unique multi-touch application.

A New Docking Device from Apple Set to Simplify Bluetooth Pairing

 
On July 15, 2010, the US Patent & Trademark Office published a patent application from Apple that reveals various concepts behind a newly advanced docking station-like device. The thinking behind the device is to make Bluetooth paring between two devices a snap, literally. Apple introduces us to a serial pass-through device in the form of a docking station and/or a travelling charger embodiment. Along with paring devices in an easier manner, the device will also add a superior layer of security than is currently available with the Bluetooth standard. Another docking station related patent also surfaced today that covers the topic of inductive power. We point to a few presentations to help you understand this coming revolution.

Apple Wins Graphics Tablet, Audio Command Patents and More

 
The US Patent and Trademark Office officially published a series of ten newly granted patents for Apple Inc. today of which two were for industrial designs. One of the designs is for a family of media player covers for the iPhone, iPod touch and more. In respect to Apple's regular granted patents, the notables within this group include Apple's audio command system for media players and a graphic tablet system that might actually one day extend to the iPad. Then again, time will tell.

Apple working on a Hot New NFC-iPhone App with Hidden Surprises

 
In May 2010 we were shown Apple's iPhone roadmap in respect to their forthcoming e-Wallet and Shopping companion Apps. Applications that will require Apple to present the market with new NFC (Near Field Communications) enabled iPhones sometime in 2011 (if we're lucky). In todays patent report we'll explore a new Apple patent that reveals that NFC is going even deeper into the next generation iPhone. Today, Apple introduces "Products +" a generic name for a future "benefit management application." The idea behind the patent is that Apple will work with participating vendors – be they a trendy coffee vendor or electronics or book retailer – so that their packaging will sport an NFC tag. This tag will be able to be read by a user's NFC enabled iPhone which could in return surprise the user with hidden benefits ranging from free merchandise to free music and a lot of options in-between. The benefits angle to an NFC enabled iPhone could tip the scale in a any given sale and I think that this has the potential of being an explosively hot feature to kick off the NFC revolution on the iPhone. Today's report presents you with a ton of benefit-related examples.

Apple Wins MacBook Ambient Light Sensor & Dashboard Patents

 
The US Patent and Trademark Office officially published a series of 12 newly granted patents for Apple Inc. today which includes 3 design patents covering Apple's Magic Mouse retail packaging, the iTunes icon used on all iOS devices and the OS X spinning cursor symbol. The meatier granted patents of the day relate to ambient light sensors used in Apple's notebooks, Apple's OS X Dashboard feature and several iPod related patents covering the inner mechanics of the device.

Apple Files Trademark for "My iPhone" Icon

 
On July 1, 2010, the US Patent & Trademark Office published Apple's latest trademark application for "My iPhone" icon under application 85069782. Apple has filed their trademark under a non-specific International Class covering "Computer software for use in geographically locating and tracking electronic devices." Obviously those responsible for creating descriptions for International Classes haven't gotten around to updating their classes to match new emerging technologies. Today's icon trademark relates to Apple's own "Find My iPhone" iApp available for free at the App Store.

Patents: The Magic behind GarageBand

 
On July 1, 2010, the US Patent & Trademark Office published three distinct patents detailing the magic behind Apple's GarageBand, a highly popular iApp within Apple's iLife suite. If you're a musician-techie or programmer who loves music, you'll be able to explore various aspects of today's patents covering an audio processing interface, a method and system for music instruction and of course the music instruction system behind GarageBand. The music instruction patent covers how video instruction is provided for in GarageBand while another patent details various aspects of guitar amplifier effects - like the famous wah-wah pedal effect.