Patently Apple

Apple to Add Storyboard Tools to iMovie & Final Cut Pro X

Last week a patent filing revealed that Apple is planning to bring a teleprompter tool to both iMovie and Final Cut Pro X sometime in the future. This week, the adventure deepens. Apple now reveals that they're also thinking about bringing a new and novel Storyboard tool to both programs. This must have been an idea that Steve Jobs brought to the table being that it was an everyday tool used by his Pixar team. And to close off our report, we reveal an interesting patent figure that was published today that might have been an accident. The patent figure shows us a never seen before iPhone accessory. Time will tell if the idea ever pans out, but you should check it and weigh-in for yourself. 

Apple is Out to Make Sharing Media on Your iPhone a lot Easier

On February 16, 2012, the US Patent & Trademark Office published a patent application from Apple that revealed an all new binding protocol designed to allow users to automatically or manually bind attachments easily to a phone call or even a voicemail message. Additionally, the media could be transferred during or after the phone call. Another feature describes how sent photos, for example, could automatically be opened on the receiving end in a photo viewer or editing application. Today's report illustrates several interesting iPhone interface features associated with Apple's new binding protocol. This is an extremely practical patent, especially for social networking types wanting to share photos quickly and conveniently with their friends and those in the enterprise that need to exchange documents on the go with their office and/or clients.  

Google Patent Reveals Future Unlock Features for Android Devices

Back in October 2011 we reported that Apple's "Slide to Unlock" patent stirred up a hornet's nest in Taiwan and we now see that Apple has filed another patent infringement lawsuit against Samsung over this feature. On Tuesday, Apple's CEO Tim Cook stated during a Goldman Sachs conference that he loved competition – as long as they invented their own stuff. While it's pretty clear that Samsung has copied Apple's slide to unlock feature on certain smartphones, relief may be on the way. A new Google patent application that was published by the by the US Patent and Trademark Office earlier this month, reveals that Google will offer Android OEMs new options to unlock future Android devices. One method simply involves using voice recognition while a second method involves a nifty two-icon methodology. Although Google's alternative unlocking feature based on face recognition method has been compromised, it now appears that Google has finally found a few new tricks to unlock future Android devices while avoiding patent infringement trouble with Apple. That's something that Samsung will be very glad to get their hands on – sooner rather than later. Report Updated Feb. 17, 2012 

New "iBooks Author" Trademark & Logo Filings Surface from Apple

The Canadian Intellectual Property Office has published Apple's latest trademark filings for "iBooks Author." Apple announced their new iBooks Authoring application during a January special Apple Event unveiling iBooks 2 for the iPad. The new iBooks Authoring tool/application allows anyone to create and publish next generation online books. Apple's trademark filings cover for the name and logo's descriptive reference.

Apple Granted 19 Patents Covering Bend Switches, Specialty Display Films, Airplane Mode Functionality, MacBook Protection Mechanisms & More

The US Patent and Trademark Office officially published a series of nineteen newly granted patents for Apple Inc. today. Today's report covers an interesting yet eclectic mix of granted patents including one that credits the late, great Steve Jobs for the MacBook Air's design. Update: Will Apple use their MacBook Air design patents to challenge new Ultrabook challengers?