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Apple files patent for instant messaging on the iPhone

By Ed Oswald, BetaNews

April 22, 2008, 2:07 PM

Apple has filed for a patent which brings instant messaging to the iPhone and other touchscreen devices it produces.

The patent's abstract describes the application as follows: "One aspect of the invention involves a graphical user interface (GUI) on a portable electronic device with a touch screen display. The GUI has a set of messages exchanged between a user of the device and another person."

Continuing: "The set of messages are displayed in a chronological order. In response to detecting a scrolling gesture comprising a substantially vertical movement of a user contact with the touch screen display, the display of messages are scrolled in accordance with a direction of the scrolling gesture. The detecting of the scrolling gesture is substantially independent of a horizontal position of the user contact with the touch screen display."

At first look, the messenger appears to maintain the iChat-like theme the iPhone currently uses for its SMS interface. However, the patent introduces some changes that improve upon the experience.

For example, text is typed directly into the chat message bubble, and the text entry box is replaced with a list of suggested words.

Media suggestions that Apple's patent is about instant messaging instead of advanced SMS functionality may prove to just be guesses, though. The patent text mentions both SMS and "IM" throughout.

Instant Messaging is something that iPhone users seem to be requesting the most, and the demand for such an application can be seen in the works on Apple's Web Applications platform and in unofficial third-party software.

AOL is developing a AIM client through the iPhone SDK, however it will not be able to run in the background. This means that once the user exits the application, his IM connection will be severed.

It's likely that Apple's version of the IM client will not be subject to such a limitation.

News of the patent application was first reported by AppleInsider on Monday.

Add a Comment (11 Comments)

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By lilmegz

posted Apr 23, 2008 - 4:25 AM

I say its about time... been wanting to do Wireless Internet IM's on my iPod Touch pretty much since I got it so I hope they get the patent and all, that would be sick to be on the go with iPod Touch/iPhone and Wireless Internet IM too!

Score: 0

By Aires

posted Apr 23, 2008 - 4:07 AM

That seems a little unfair with Apple saying your IM can't run in the background but ours can. :~

Score: 0

By pitdingo2

posted Apr 23, 2008 - 6:28 AM

It is their device, why can't they control what software goes on it? The video game consoles have done this ever since their inception.

If you do not like how Apple controls the environment, don't buy an iPhone. There are tons of followers/cloners which will give you iPhone like features a year or two after Apple introduces them.

Score: 0

By DonGato

posted Apr 22, 2008 - 8:52 PM

Not much to say. -_-;

It's incredible what people want to patent nowadays. I'm in the process of patenting a task that lets people breath. You have to inhale air through the nose for a couple of seconds and then exhale. Nobody thought of that before, really!

I'm happy with GoogleTalk in my Blackberry that lets me connect to any network (AOL, GoogleTalk, ICQ, MSN, Jabber, Yahoo), it runs in the background and it's integrated with the phone and guess what... it has a year of being in the market.

Score: 0

By Hollywood__

posted Apr 22, 2008 - 3:51 PM

Hey pit,

Dont you have a iPhone seeing as you are the ultimate cheerleader / follower / sheep?

Score: 0

By Diam0nd

posted Apr 22, 2008 - 3:38 PM

Next step should be to try to patent the invention of phone. By CRAPple, of course (who else!)

...

Score: 0

By kappen

posted Apr 22, 2008 - 3:14 PM

If they do release a chat client that does run in the background when the app is closed and won't let any other companies isnt that the same issue that brough MS to court. They did the same thing with IE.

Score: 0

By Paul Skinner

posted Apr 22, 2008 - 3:09 PM

"It's likely that Apple's version of the IM client will not be subject to such a limitation."

It's not "likely"; it's certain.

Score: 0

By AnthonySPT

posted Apr 22, 2008 - 2:28 PM

Apple is still doing it...

First they run home from the TED conference and patent the Multi-Touch UI features demonstrated to everyone several years ago.

And now they are trying to patent a simplistic feature that 'normal' people have been using on Windows Mobile or Motorola phones for 5 or 6 years?

What is patent worthy here?

• Touch - Windows Mobile Did this 10 years ago, including the gesture scrolling. WTH?

• PhoneIM - WIndows Mobile and Motorola have done this for 8 or 9 years. Not just SMS, but real IM with Yahoo, AOL, MSN Messaging clients on the phones, that work as Apple's patent describes.

I think it is time for Microsoft to go, ok Apple, enough is enough and take them to task for this crap.

Score: 0

By pitdingo2

posted Apr 23, 2008 - 6:26 AM

I love all the M$ drones on here try to make it sound like M$ invented everything. LOL. Face the facts...Apple revolutionized the Smart Phone market. They innovated where no one else did.

As always, everyone is following Apples lead. Look at all the iPhone "killers" which are coming on the market. There are so many clones out there now it is unreal.

Score: 0

By lvthunder

posted Apr 22, 2008 - 3:46 PM

Microsoft won't do it. They have been neutered.

Score: 0

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