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Apple Files New Wi-Fi iPod Patents

By Ed Oswald, BetaNews

July 12, 2007, 3:47 PM

Apple may be close to developing a Wi-Fi enabled iPod as a new patent application submitted recently by the company indicates it is developing a way for devices to talk to each other through a wireless network.

First reported by Macsimum News on Thursday, the patent sounds quite similar to what Microsoft is already doing with the Zune. There has been much speculation about the release of a Wi-Fi enabled device, however none have surfaced as of yet.

While Apple's iPhone does include Wi-Fi, it still must connect directly with its host computer to download songs, update data, and so forth.

While mobile devices can do this already, "it is advantageous to exchange (send and/or receive) media or other types of data with other electronic devices in a wireless manner," Apple claims in its application.

It should be mentioned that Apple has already filed for several patents surrounding Wi-Fi technology in iPod-like devices, so this application could be just the latest in a series of them, and not necessarily an indication that such a device is imminent.

However, last year Apple filed for several patents that ultimately pointed to the release of the iPhone.

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By TimothyAaron08

posted Jul 12, 2007 - 6:22 PM

I have a Zune, but it's going to be a sad day when the iPod does what the Zune is supposed to do, and does it right, while Microsoft is still getting people to get firmware update 1.3 that fixes a issue when people download music from there own music store and a battery drain issue!

Score: 0

By phenomnaruto

posted Jul 12, 2007 - 5:03 PM

So it's basically going to do the same thing that Zune is doing, and already planning.

Wait wait wait ... Iphone cant communicate with other iphones unless its traditional cell phone calling? waste of cash.

anywho it should be good, I'm happy that the major companies are ushering the future by taking a step forward with the wi-fi .. wheres wi max? we need it now.

Score: 0

By cap737

posted Jul 13, 2007 - 11:41 AM

I'm sure that a software update in the iPhone can introduce that setup between the phones and synchronization when connected to your home network. It would be sad, but cool, that they do a better job the first time than what MS did with the zune.