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.  

Apple Thinks of Enhancing the Mobile Clubbing Scene with iTunes

Yesterday we mourned with the rest of the world as we learned of Steve Jobs passing on Wednesday evening. Today we move forward with a heavy heart - but remain focused on what we do best: Report on the insanely great inventions inspired by Steve Jobs and his team. During Apple's special event held earlier this week in Cupertino, Tim Cook spent a lot of time talking about how Apple still loved music and the iPod that started the mobile revolution. In a patent published by the USPTO on Thursday, we learned that Apple is working on a fresh new music sharing app that is uniquely designed for those who love the mobile clubbing scene. The app is described as tying in with the iOS notification system as well as with Twitter and Facebook social networking sites. And finally, our report covers the newly released iOS 5 split keyboard patent and more.    

Future iTune's System could allow Borrowing Tunes for Playlists

 
On June 24, 2011, the US Patent & Trademark Office published a patent application from Apple that reveals one of the next chapters for Apple's iTunes. Apple's revelation pertains to a new elaborate system that will essentially allow users to borrow tunes on a limited time basis before asking them to buy the tune or have it erased from their playlist. When you understand the principles behind Apple's coming Music Match system for iCloud, then you could easily see how Apple could implement this proposed borrowing system. Apple will be able to scan and monitor each tune's time limit on your devices. The music industry needs to get more tunes into more users devices and the old marketing systems of yesteryear aren't delivering as they should. While Apple's proposed borrowing system is definitely a big marketing gamble for both Apple and the music industry, it could also be one of the most ingenious marketing moves in recent times.  Report Updated with news of a new shock dampening mount for hard drives.

Apple introduces us to Searchable Mosaic Playlist Icons for iTunes

 
On June 9, 2011, the US Patent & Trademark Office published a patent application from Apple that reveals one of the next chapters for playlist creation in iTunes. Instead of playlists being presented in text form, Apple is proposing the organization of your playlists into searchable Mosaic Icons that could be set in various grid arrangements of your choosing. New navigational controls associated with the new iTune playlist icons will allow users to quickly navigate or browse through the items in the list without having to open a new view. To allow for this new form of graphical playlist design, Apple will have to either redesign iTunes or recreate a new Summary iTunes tab within iTunes that could present pages of your new playlists that are in mosaic icon form. Apple's proposed icon system could also be technically applied to folders in a typical computer directory structure containing subfolders.  

Whoa! Apple Patent Confirms iTunes Cloud Media Services

 
In January we pointed to a possible HP music cloud service that could debut with their future TouchPad tablet due to their 3par acquisition. Such a service had the potential of upsetting Apple's iTunes kingdom. Then word broke in April that Apple was acquiring iCloud followed by news in May that Apple signed a cloud-music licensing agreement with EMI Music and others. Today, a new Apple patent application dating back to Q4 2009 shows that Apple has been working on a cloud based media service for some time. Apple's patent details a very unique approach to cloud based services using iTunes which they describe as being "seamless and invisible to the user."