Patently Apple

Apple Shares their Vision for a New Kind of Smart Kiosk

Every once in a while we get a rare treat and get to read about Apple's vision for something new they're working on. Today it's about a new smart kiosk. Although Apple has been kicking this concept around for some time now in regards to an iTunes based Kiosk or even an iCard & Gift kiosk, I think that this time around they may have hit the right market nerve. Apple's latest in-store kiosk may reside in an Apple Store or another retailer like Best Buy. The idea is simple. You have a new iOS device and you want to find the right accessories or apps for it. You wander into a store with an Apple Kiosk and connect your device to the kiosk which uses a new determination server that will check out your device and lists recommendations. If you're searching for something specific you'll be able to narrow down your search for something like speakers or headsets. One could easily see how Apple could sneak Siri into this kind of device one day to simply dazzle the consumer. This could be the perfect way to introduce Siri to the general public and that's why I think Apple's vision for the perfect kiosk may have finally arrived.  

Steve Jobs Credited as One of the Designers of their Paris Store

On November 15, 2011, the US Patent and Trademark Office surprises us with a newly granted design patent for the stunning Apple Store in New York's Upper West Side that credits the late, great Steve Jobs. An eye for design was definitely one of the key values that Steve Jobs possessed. It's echoed throughout his biography by Walter Isaacson. Whether it was the original Mac, iPhone, iPad or Store layout – Steve was constantly pushing for product designs that were both simplistic and elegant. So it's fitting that we now applaud Steve's contributions to the great Upper West Side NY Store Design. Update 9AM: Opps, we apparently goofed. The design is in fact that of the Upper West Side Apple Store in New York that uses Hanger Glass - and not that of the store in Paris that we noted in our byline.(Mon Dieu!) 

China Grants Apple 40 New Design Patents Covering All-Things iPhone, MacBook Air & their Beautiful Shanghai Store Architecture

What's with Apple jamming through hundreds of design patents through China's Patent Office this past year? The increase in design patents is measurably noticeable but the reasoning behind it isn't clear in the least. One could only surmise that Apple simply foresees the majority of future copycat designers coming from Asian OEMs. With that said, today's report covers an overview of the latest 37 design patents that were granted to Apple in China this past Friday in addition to a peek at a few architectural styled figurative design graphics showcasing Apple's beautiful Shanghai Store.  

Apple Reveals their In-Store Security Systems for Devices & More

 
If you know Steve Jobs then you know that he tries to patent everything under the sun including everything related to their own Apple Stores. Whether it's their Classic Glass Apple Store architecture in New York or the average in-mall Apple Store design layout or even the iPad stands that sit on the tables at every Apple Store, they have it covered. So it shouldn't come as a surprise that Apple has once again applied for a patent to cover their unique in-store security systems for devices that includes very sophisticated cabling and alarms. The security system designs also extend to Apple Kiosks in stores like Best Buy and Future Shop. Apple also states that their security systems could extend to oddities like transportation vehicle instruments and televisions. The former speculatively sounds like a potential new accessory in the making that would be welcomed. Some of the security designs appearing in the application seem to be new and the fact that Apple only filed for a patent this past Christmas tells us that we may see some of these new designs coming to an Apple Store in the not- too-distant future.  

 

Apple Actually Patents their In-Store iPad Stand Design

 
Today, the European Patent Office published a series of three Apple patent designs pertaining to, of all things, their In-Store iPad Stand. Apple, or should I really say Steve Jobs, really loves to patent or trademark whatever he can concerning Apple's retail stores. Apple has trademarked their famous glass store architecture, their distinctive retail store layout and I even remember that they patented their famous New York store's glass staircase. Well, that's what makes Apple great in the eyes of their fans: Their fanatical attention to detail!  Report Updated August 24, 2011