Patently Apple

Apple Files Two Massive iPod Trademark Filings in Europe: The Question May Be, Why?

 
On June 8, 2011, the European Patent & Trademark Office published two of Apple's trademark applications for "iPod." The trademark applications, which are not classified as renewals, cover 44 out of a total of 45 International Classes. That's even a first for Apple. Yet the real question may be, why?  

Apple Files a Whopping 11 Separate US iCloud Trademark Applications

 
On June 7, 2011, the US Patent & Trademark Office published Apple's eleven iCloud trademark applications. Apple filed one iCloud application per International Classification. Possible reasoning for filing eleven separate trademark applications is provided for in our report. The one International Classification that's still a bit of a mystery is that of class 25: Clothing, footware and headgear. The only thing that I could think of is that Apple's Nike + iPod program may offer users some future iCloud solution for runners. If you have any other ideas, then send in you comments.    

Apple Wins Two Original 2007 Touch Related iPhone Patents

 
The US Patent and Trademark Office officially published a series of 18 newly granted patents for Apple Inc. today. In our first granted patent report of the day we covered Apple being granted a major patent relating to both tablets and a possible future iMac Touch Display. In this second granted patent report of the day we cover two original 2007 touch-related iPhone patents that kick-started the smartphone revolution in earnest. One covers Apple's iPhone display using an electrostatic model for functionality and the other covers how content including video, switches between portrait and landscape modes. 

In OS X Lion's Shadow, Apple Wins a Patent for an iMac Touch Display

 
How appropriate it is for Apple to have been granted a major patent relating to touch displays for both tablets and an iMac touch. In the shadow of yesterday's World Wide Developer Conference where we once again saw that OS X Lion will borrow some of iOS's features – we are subtly reminded that we may also, one day, see an iMac Touch desktop emerge when the right technologies converge.  

Intel, Apple & the Transformation of the PC

 
If you're a PC and gadgets fan, then June is turning out to be quite the interesting month. Intel delivered a series of keynotes at Computex 2011 last week and Steve Jobs will be bringing the house down tomorrow when he takes the wraps off their latest operating system upgrades dubbed OS X Lion and iOS 5. Apple's blowout news of course will come from revelations about their all-new iCloud music service. In today's report, we'll take a look at some of the interesting new features that will be coming to our personal computers over the next 18 – 30 months. Intel presented some real surprises, especially their 2013 processor which is a whole new from scratch architecture. I liked what I saw on the way from Intel and I'll be thrilled to see what Apple delivers tomorrow. What a great month it's turning out to be for tech heads!  

Apple's iCloud Trademark Gets Filed in China Prior to Monday's Big Launch

 
On June 3, 2011, Apple's iCloud Trademark was added to China's trademark database under application 301932606. The trademark covers a total of eight International Classifications which is less than the twelve classes that were filed in Europe earlier this week. The flurry of activity surrounding all-things iCloud this week has been at a fever pitch as Apple sowed up some last minute details to secure the iCloud.com domain and signed last minute music label deals so that their Music Cloud service would be at its finest. We even got a sneak peek at Apple's new iCloud logo which appears to be MobileMe's Logo reborn. Without a doubt, Apple's World Wide Developer Conference next week is going to be a blockbuster event.  

MacDirectory's Interview with Patently Apple: Capturing Apple's Spirit of Invention

 
Earlier this year I had the privilege of being interviewed by MacDirectory. The interview was published and on newsstands in the U.S. in May. The cover, as you could see, is very cool and the theme of their issue was in sync with the interview. As MacDirectory is no longer distributed outside of the U.S., Patently Apple was given permission to post MacDirectory's interview in its entirety. I hope that you'll enjoy reading it. Special thanks go out to Justin Ashley and Markin Abras for making it happen. Cheers!  

Apple working on a Sophisticated Infrared System for iOS Cameras

 
On June 2, 2011, the US Patent & Trademark Office published a patent application from Apple that revealed various concepts behind a newly advanced next generation camera system that could employ infrared technology. On one side, the new system would go a long way in assisting the music and movie industries by automatically disabling camera functions when trying to photograph or film a movie or concert. On the other hand, the new system could turn your iOS device into a kind of automated tour guide for museums or cityscapes as well as eventually being an auto retail clerk providing customers with price, availability and product information. The technology behind Apple's patent application holds a lot of potential.  

X2Y Sues Apple, HP and Intel over Processor Related Technology

 
A company by the name of X2Y Attenuators has filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Apple, HP and Intel. The Nevada Company based in Erie Pennsylvania owns patented X2Y® Technology which consists of proprietary electrode arrangements that are embedded in passive components. While the lawsuit is focused on Intel's Core i7 processor as the technology violating the Company's technology, the plaintiff is dragging Apple and HP into this suit by their use of these processors in computers such as the iMac. 

Apple Perfectly Times their iCloud Trademark Filing in Europe

 
Late yesterday, the European Trademark Office published Apple's latest trademark application for "iCloud" under application 010011484. Apple has filed their trademark under 12 distinct International Classes covering such matters as delivering digital music by telecommunications, electronic storage, online social networking services, multimedia content for a fee or pre-paid subscription, computer software, electronic books and magazines, entertainment, photographic services, business management and advertising services, games, headgear and digital devices/computers. With Apple's iCloud services patent surfacing just two weeks ago along with news that they had signed a series of new music deals with Sony, Warner Music and EMI – it appears that Apple has cleverly timed their iCloud news like rolling thunder going into Steve Jobs' keynote next week where he'll be highlighting all-things iCloud. Updated.