Apple has filed a new patent for a wireless transaction system that looks like it will be used in the iPhone and allow users to order products and pay for them instantly. Apple's patent details their merchant-client wireless system which will work with cellular, WiFi, WiMAX or Bluetooth networks. Among the areas covered by the patent are the ability to access restaurant menus on the go. 
The system would allow merchants to be able to push their new ads to devices that are tuned into this new web service, and hence would require local merchants to be on board with the initiative.
The system also includes a mechanism for for merchants to report a stolen iPod/iPhone if the owner has properly reported that information to Apple in a timely manner. Apple states that in some cases "whenever a wireless media player comes within range of the wireless data network, the wireless media player can be (unbeknownst to the user) directed to send a wireless media player identifier that uniquely identifies the particular wireless media player to the wireless data network. The wireless media player identifier can be used to track lost or stolen media players when the rightful owner has placed the wireless media player identifier in a central database of lost or stolen media players. In this way, if a lost or stolen media player is tracked, any number of subsequent actions can be taken such as notifying the authorities, disabling the wireless media player, displaying a notice to return the wireless media player, etc. thereby providing a strong disincentive for stealing the player."In one example a user instruction directs the wireless media player to open a graphical user interface (GUI) on a display that includes a list of items previously purchased from the merchant stored in the memory. However, in some cases it may be desirable to store customer information (such as the list of previously purchased items) on either or both the local server or the central server. In this way, even in those cases where a user purchases a new item or is using a different media player than would otherwise be used that does not have a current, or accurate, customer preference file for that particular user, the local server or remote server can be used to update, or synchronize, the local memory.
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Make purchases using your iPhone at Stores ....Future is near!
Snapshot in time..past iPhone rumors...READ and ENJOY!
(Remember when Apple Stock was under $100. Read and Enjoy.)
iPone news looks at CDMA VS. GSM
It’s come to my attention that not everyone understands the subtle yet significant differences between GSM and CDMA. We’ve received random e-mails from folks asking how they can get XY phone from AT&T to work on Sprint’s network and it makes me scratch my head. My first instinct is to curse and hit the Spam button, but I slowly realize this individual just doesn’t know the difference. It’s not their fault. In our line of work we don’t always remember that everyone is as savvy or immersed in tech on a daily basis. For this we apologize. To make up for our indiscretions here is your Orientation for the week.
A few people I spoke with knew that the main difference had something to do with a SIM card, which is the Subscriber Identity Module card. Said SIM cards are used in the US by T-Mobile and AT&T. I’m hoping most of you know this already. Here in lies one of the positives for subscribers with GSM carriers. You’re not tied down to a single handset that’s attached to one network like you are with CDMA carriers/phones ie Sprint and Verizon. It’s quite evident with the mayhem surrounding the iPhone. That’s the bare bones difference.
To be exact, GSM stands for Global System for Mobile Communications, which is based on an older standard called TDMA, which we won’t get into. CDMA stands for Code Division Multiple Access. Neither of those terms is very easy to digest at all, now is it? Without getting into the nitty gritty of it, simply because you needn’t worry about it, I’ve broken it down as best I can for you (and me) to understand. If you must know the technical specs then I have one morsel for you to chew on: they share bandwidth differently. GSM allocates a bit of bandwidth for each user on a local network and they can do as they please, whereas with CDMA each device gets a chunk of bandwidth only when they need it.
Some say that CDMA is a superior technology for the following reasons: It allows for more users across a given frequency because it’s only being used when needed, and because battery life on CDMA phones is far superior to that of any GSM device because it’s not transmitting anything when sitting by idle.
Those are the two main factors and I could talk about the cancer causing aspect of mobile phones, but we’re beyond that and everything causes cancer these days.
However, GSM’s constant contact means that acquiring a signal isn’t as tricky. When a CDMA phone connects to the network, it must negotiate with the local tower what phone it is, what service, what number, etc. This is that pause between when you hit “send” and it starts ringing. The more interference there is, the longer this takes. With GSM, that’s taken care of when you roam into a tower’s area, the phone is “registered” with the tower already and starts transmitting much faster. Also, the already-connected state means that GMS can work in areas (such as elevators, underground) where CDMA generally can not.
The only downside to CDMA at this point in time is it’s lack of mobility across continents. GSM networks are used in more countries (roughly 3/4 of the world market) than CDMA so roaming is hardly ever an issue thanks to that SIM card.
In terms of data transmission, GSM has the upper hand with HSDPA as it is capable of transferring up to 7.2 Mbps while EV-DO Rev. A can only muster 3.1 Mbps. A GSM signal can also be shoddy at times depending on where you are. For instance, in Manhattan AT&T doesn’t get the best coverage while Verizon and Sprint are rock solid. In my experience T-Mobile works perfect in the city, but not very well out on Long Island. It also depends on where you live in the country because in the Bay Area, AT&T is a champ while T-Mobile eats it. In general, CDMA carriers are more reliable nationwide because of the larger tower footprints.
The overall point that you should take away from this is that you need to assess your current needs if you’re in the market for a new phone. Will you be traveling or staying home? Of course, CDMA providers like Verizon are releasing dual-band phones like the BlackBerry 8830 World Edition that allow for a SIM card when you travel overseas, so it may one day be a moot point. Be sure to check the network coverage in your area as it differs from region to region. Voice/data plans and hardware themselves are going to be the biggest factors in your decision. Do you want better coverage (Verizon), better phones (AT&T), cheap plans (T-Mo) or faster data (Sprint)?
iphone rumors and ipod patents could be the future.
Apple Inc. has been active filing patents for new technologies that could integrate into its product line, including a possible revival of the iPod Hi-Fi, wireless device ordering and lockdowns, and a new network-based anti-piracy scheme.iPod BoomboxAlthough Apple was forced by poor sales to pull the iPod Hi-Fi from store shelves in September, a new US patent published on Thursday shows the electronics maker still exploring its own speaker accessories.
Named the iPod Boombox in the patent and in earlier trademarks, the audio system borrows the shape of the now discontinued Hi-Fi but embeds a screen or control system at the front. In screen form, the change would allow the Boombox to play video from a docked iPod as well as sound.A receiver on the front would also allow remote control alongside volume buttons on the top of the system.As with most of Apple's patent filings, the company is not under obligation to use the technology even if the patent is later granted.
Wireless ordering and lockdown system
A second patent published the same day, for a wireless communication system, allows for special transactions to occur when an Apple device comes in contact with wireless networks.In the new implementation, a handheld or similar hardware automatically identifies itself to the local network, triggering an order to a remote system that queues up and processes requests based on their priority. The technique could be used to notify a device user exactly when coffee is ready at a restaurant or push ads in certain locations, Apple explains in one example.The description bears some similarity to Apple's Starbucks service, which automatically cues a Starbucks option on an iPhone, iPod touch, or iTunes program when its user is connected to a hotspot run by the coffee shop.However, the invention may also be used to remotely shut down a device, the company says. In the event the equipment is lost or stolen and either Apple or another organization is aware of the incident, the hardware identifier could be used to warn any unwanted owners or lock the device outright, preventing data theft and encouraging its return.The patent appears to address concerns raised by large businesses, which have been told to avoid the iPhone by analysts due to the lack of remote administration present on RIM BlackBerries, Palm Treos, and most other work-oriented smartphones.Code injection anti-piracy systemOne of Apple's additional patents revealed on Thursday focuses only on software, according to a report from MacRumors.Dubbed a Run-Time Code Injection to Perform Checks, the software patent would let a program's developer trigger the installation of new code that approves the use of a program with the user's hardware. If the hardware changes, the code could disable a given copy even after it has been approved elsewhere.Copy protection could thus be in place without relying on hardware dongles or other local copy protection systems, many of which are largely ineffective, Apple says.The anti-piracy method can potentially run every time a program is active and appears to vary sharply from Microsoft's Windows Genuine Advantage, which is usually only invoked upon installing a new program or specific software updates.Auto-shutdown system for handhelds, MacsLastly, an additional patent for a host device shutdown system could aid Apple's reputation for environmental friendliness while aiding users.Software on both a host computer and a portable device, such as an iMac and an iPod, could be set to automatically sleep or shut down either system when certain conditions are met, such as a full battery. Owners could leave a system running overnight to charge an iPod knowing that it would shut off on its own while also preventing the attached device from continuing to draw unnecessary power.
iPhone driving future MAC interface .. the MAC wants to feel the love
