Odd Patent Filing: Apple TV-like device with iChat-esque functionality
Filed under: Apple News, News | By: Daniel
Posted on: February 7, 2008 | 1 Comment
Today we have found an odd patent filing from Apple, the Apple TV-like device that has iChat-esque functionality has only just been submitted.
The patent gives away some interesting information; it suggests a number of uses for widget overlays during video. This includes using widgets for menus, navigation and those that are triggered by content and timing.
Engadget said “The patent demonstrates how real-time widget updates may coincide with live broadcast television and also showcases a video chat function which can be used simultaneously during the playback or broadcast of content”.
It may be while before this device is released (if ever), but I am sure people will be happy with the latest Apple TV update for now.
Source: Apple Insider
CLICK HERE to keep updated with the latest news, share a comment or problems with products and services. Follow us on twitter or read more Apple TV, gadgets, iChat, Patent, Software news.
It’s questionable whether all of Apple’s iTV patent applications will be approved, since so much prior art exists on this subject. For example, AOL owns several patents that describe exactly what Apple wants to do on the TV — community overlays and streaming news/sports data.
In the case of AOL, users were placed automatically into chat rooms based on the TV tuner data. So everyone in the room was watching the same show. Very cool for its day.
One of AOL’s patent authors has an interesting post at http://www.broodingsavage.com/journal/2008/2/10/apple-patents-time-machine-appletv.html