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An IM Patent for the iPhone?

Posted by timothy on from the could-b-could-b dept.

Ian Lamont writes "Apple has filed a patent for IM on portable devices, which could mean that it's getting ready to launch an IM client for the iPhone. The filing is titled 'Portable Electronic Device for Instant Messaging', and covers methods for sending, receiving, and viewing ongoing conversations. The proposed GUI is similar to Apple's current interface for SMS. As for why iChat wasn't enabled for the iPhone earlier, there's some interesting background and analysis here, which also includes a discussion of AIM for the iPhone. IM also came up in the discussions last year about the most-wanted features in iPhone 2.0."

4 of 71 comments (clear)

  1. ASK SLASHDOT by sm62704 · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Forgive me, maybe it's my geezerhood speaking, but I don't understand why anybody would want IM on a phone in the first place. Text messages yes, for if (say) the girl you're calling is in a movie or at the OBGYN or somewhere where she can't take a call right now, but IM? That's INSTANT message.

    Why would you IM when you could more easily and cheaply just talk? English class maybe?

    *wanders off muttering about foolish young people...*

    --
    mcgrew's razor: Never attribute to stupidity that which can be explained by greedy self-interest
    1. Re:ASK SLASHDOT by pete-classic · · Score: 2, Interesting

      Two word answer: Night club.

      Longer answer: Each of the combinations of synchronous and asynchronous, and visual and aural communication have their place. Need to send a street address, but the recipient doesn't really need it until tomorrow? Send an email. Need to tell a friend that you're at the upstairs bar? Send an SMS.

      I find that, now that I'm accustomed to using SMS, it comes in handy often. It hits a sweet spot of high precedence without requiring true synchronicity, while enforcing pithiness.

      -Peter

  2. Re:Hmmmm .... by peragrin · · Score: 2, Interesting

    The Patent office Granted MSFT the right to patent a graphical version of sudo. This really isn't any different.

    i have yet to see a valid software, or business method patent.

    --
    i thought once I was found, but it was only a dream.
  3. Re:Anyone see this one... by azuredrake · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Since it's a methods patent and not a design patent, it could be (not saying it is) for a particularly novel way of sending IM over phone that hasn't been previously done. Multitouch commands to send IMs and change windows, or an IM client that can flawlessly transition from edge to 3g to wifi or something.

    But you're right, it could just be trolling. We'll find out!

    --
    Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?