Apple Patents Location-Specific Apps

[Paul Daniel Ash]

An Apple patent application that's recently been revealed suggests that Apple is working on a way for apps and other content to just pop up on your screen when you're at a certain location: for example, a menu and reservation app for a particular restaurant. There are different types of implementations detailed in the patent - either a local access-point-based model or an online service - that would deliver the content to the mobile device. The technology appears to be tightly coupled to Apple's new iAd location-based advertising platform, but this patent gives a clearer picture of the kinds of content that could be delivered to users.

The core of the technology would be a matching service that would compare a mobile device's location (using GPS or other data) to information stored on a server about what custom content is available in that area. The content would be pushed to the device when the user was in a pre-defined area.

Patently Apple summarizes two possible scenarios that are detailed in the patent application explaining how the idea would work. The first, in the context of a restaurant, has a "Wait Time" icon appear on the screen tell the user how long the wait for a table would be, with a "Menu" icon that shows the restaurant's menu and allows the user to place their order ahead of time. In a library, the example details how a user would get a custom icon upon entering the building that would allow them to search the library's digital catalog.

The important thing with this concept is that the apps and all their data are supposed to be deleted from your device when you leave the area. Security is going to be of paramount concern with this, if it's ever implemented, and hopefully it's going to be able to be turned off and on. Otherwise, "viruses" aren't going to be just a metaphor any more, if you could catch malware like you'd catch a cold in a busy subway…

image via Patently Apple

[whereswaldo]

How does Patently apple get this stuff, is steve jobs there CEO too?

[extremzocker]

that would be pretty neat. browse through available stock etc...

[francesthemute19]

This would be pretty awesome.

[vampr]

Pretty soon there will be absolutly no reason for verbal communication!

[Evilsaint]

Sweet a patent I am glad of =) hw exactly can we catch malware they'd probably put some firewall or something where a legit registration is required to upd8 content.

[SquareWheel]

A menu that depends on context... Brilliant! Context menus are the future!

[Superspurs]

so are we to assume that the date on the calendar icon app is the release date of the 4G?

July 15th?

[spider_romeo]

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M79bc9scrxw]YouTube - Real apple iPhone 4G.(PROTOTYPE).[/ame]

An Apple patent application that's recently been revealed

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[BigCRob]

Hey spider_Romeo that jank was hott

[manickbarry]

YouTube - Real apple iPhone 4G.(PROTOTYPE).



.....:

cool I want

[Lexus2JZ]

this is definitely something to look forward too, very cool indeed.

[TheDirtyDiddler]

I don't really like this.