Apple Files for "iPhone" Patent Protection

Fri, December 01, 2006 — CIO — Apple Computer, maker of the uber-popular iPod digital music player, has filed a patent application with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) in relation to a device that could prove to be the hyped-up "iPhone"--a combination of the iPod and a mobile phone--industry analysts and pundits have been speculating on for months, Bloomberg.com reports.

Said patent--made publicly available on Thursday--was filed with the USPTO back in August, and it relates to a separate patent filed in the summer of 2004, according to Bloomberg.

Analysts and writers have suggested that Apple may offer up the iPhone as early as January, and that Apple CEO Steve Jobs could unveil the device at the Cupertino, Calif.-based firm's MacWorld conference that month. It has also been reported that Apple already ordered some 12 million iPhones from Chinese electronics manufacturer Hon Hai Precision Industry.

An Apple spokesperson did not comment on Bloomberg's request for additional information regarding the patent filing.

The device Apple is attempting to patent will be "tube-like" in form and built of zirconia and alumina so it will be "cost-effective, smaller, lighter, stronger and aesthetically more pleasing" than existing music phone designs, Bloomberg reports. Zirconia casing on the outside of the device could also be colored to make it more visually appealing, according to Bloomberg.

Apple's newest iPod nanos are available in a variety of colors, and they're also encased in metal.

Apple iPhone
Loading...
Mobile MarketSpace
Tokenless Two-Factor Authentication In Action
Learn how this technology works, how to implement it, and compare it to other two-factor authentication solutions available on the market today. Learn more »
Mobile Security Landscape
This paper examines the current mobile security landscape, including myths surrounding the risks and threats, and how organizations can establish a solid mobile security strategy. Learn more »
Research: Microsoft Mobile Solutions
This paper compares the Research In Motion BlackBerry solution with the Microsoft(R) mobile solution by analyzing features of the user experience and the administrator experience. Learn more »
Five-Step Mobility Management Plan
This complimentary Aberdeen report details how best-in-class companies are using a 5-Step Mobility Management approach to take control of their burgeoning mobile infrastructures. A must read for IT executives looking to cut mobility TCO and support costs, reduce security risks and increase mobile user productivity Learn more »
Getting Started with LogMeIn Rescue
In this brief demo, you will see LogMeIn Rescue's key features and discover how they can help you support more users on PCs, Macs and smartphones, and solve more issues than ever before. Learn more »
Legacy Tools: Not Built for the Helpdesk
This paper explores the challenges of supporting this workforce with legacy tools such as RDP" and VNC" and identifies best practices that you can use to choose helpdesk tools. Learn more »
IT Supporting a Decentralized Organization
Learn the 5 best practices for remote IT support. Learn more »
It Pays to Provide High-Quality Support
Ceridian is a global organization that provides HR and payroll services to Fortune 500 businesses. See how Ceridian deployed remote IT support to reduce call center volume and improve customer support. Learn more »
 
SPONSORED LINKS
 

Mobile Security: The Essential Ingredient for Today's Enterprise

White Paper: Legacy Tools: Not Built for the Helpdesk

Learn how to maximize the mobile web opportunity

See how AT&T can help protect your network.

Webcast: Unleashing the Power of Customer Data

White Paper: Improve Agility with Operational Responsiveness

Taking a Seat at the Executive Table: The Reality of Virtualization

White Paper: Next Generation Remote Infrastructure Management

Keeping Your Members Safe from Online Scams and Predators

The Total Economic Impact of Network Security Intrusion Prevention

Join us at the US-Brazil IT-BPO Summit, on November 10th in New York.

Increase UPS efficiency without sacrificing protection.

Learn how advanced forecasting tools can deliver significant business results for global corporations.

Lower IT Costs with Oracle Database 11g Release 2

Ready to virtualize tier one applications? Check your virtualization maturity.

Seven Ways ITIL Can Help You in an Economic Downturn

Tips for successful virtualization management.

Unified Communications: Thoughts, Strategies and Predictions. Join the discussion

Read the RSA report: Security for Business Innovation

Webcast: Looking to the Cloud for Email and Collaboration Services

64-page prescriptive guide to security, compliance, and IT operations.

Keep your IT expertise up to date. Join the Intel Premier IT Professionals.

A Clear View Toward Virtualization

Virtualization Technology as a Business Solution

The rules of infrastructure management just changed.

White Paper: 5 Best Practices for Smartphone Support

Five-Step Mobility Management Plan

White Paper: Visibility and the New Normal of Mobile Work

White Paper: 4 Customer Service Myths

White Paper: Managed Security for a Not-So-Secure World

Global Research: CIOs Weigh In On Virtualization

5 Key Virtualization Management Challenges

Secure Email and Web-Based Communication from Evolving Attacks

WagerWorks Takes Fraudsters Out of the Game using iovation

Seven Design Requirements for Web 2.0 Threat Protection

Generation Remote Infrastructure Management - Changing the Paradigm

Cloud-Based Email Management: Opinion Shifts In Favor

eBook: How Can You Make Your People Productive Anywhere?

Achieving Business Agility with Application Grid

Taking the Service Desk to the Next Level

Learn about The Information Technology Infrastructure Library.

Top Five CIO Challenges

Streamline IT Costs. Boost Performance with WAN Optimization.

Want to know how you can maximize employee productivity?

Build your 1st app FREE with Force.com

TDWI checklist helps define data readiness for analytics. Download report.

A new fleet of PCs with a total ROI in 10 months. Find your ROI.

eZine: A Roadmap to Reducing IT Complexity

Reduce risk, gain agility. See how Progress can help your business.

Virtualization Technology as a Business Solution

 
 
RESOURCE CENTER
 
buy a link »
Ads by TechWords