Patent Filing Lays Out What's Next For iPhone
SAN FRANCISCO -(Dow Jones)- Apple faces the inevitable question of "what's next?" Monday after the computer maker as expected unveils its next-generation iPhone.
Clues to Apple's next steps can be found in a recently unearthed U.S. patent filing attributed to Apple Chief Executive Officer Steve Jobs. If the filing is any guide, Apple's going to end its stalemate with Adobe System, and forge a deal with Qualcomm so it can sell its iPhone in many more countries, to name just two of Apple's potential next steps.
Many ideas that are patented never get developed. But the latest Apple patent application defines at the very least what's in the realm of possibility for the iPhone, and what potential headaches are in store for the Cupertino, Calif., computer maker.
An Apple spokesman would not comment.
IPhone developments like patent applications are closely watched given how important the combination phone, high-speed Internet devices and digital media player has become for Apple.
Apple stated goal is to sell 10 million iPhones in 2008, while the investment comment have set even loftier 2009 sales goals of 14 million or so.
Just how will Apple meet expectations? Using the patent application as a guide, Apple appears to be making room on the iPhone for flash memory, which means an end to Apple's standoff with Adobe that's kept iPhones from easily viewing a plethora of Internet videos.
Apple has said that Adobe's flash media player, which is on hundreds of other phones, doesn't perform up to Apple's standards for the iPhone.
More wireless connections appear on the horizon as well, in particular Wi-Max, which is faster than the third-generation version of the iPhone that Apple's expected to debut Monday.
Associating WiMAX with Apple's world-renowned brand would be a boost for Intel, which has championed WiMAX development.
The patent application also presents possibility of a CDMA version of the iPhone. That would allow Apple to sell the device in the pockets of Asia, and North and South America where it doesn't now.
Location services, like friend finders, package trackers and directories, are also likely to be a major thrust for the new iPhone to be introduced Monday and also in the future, the filing suggests.
Meanwhile, the filing has also raised concerns for its breadth. Apple's seeking to patent parts, or all, of a number of very important smart phone features, in particular revolving around touch screen interfaces.
"Is it a land grab and attempt to create (patent) toll roads throughout iPhone Universe or just protection against a would-be competitor outflanking Apple and establishing barriers against them and their developer ecosystem?," said Mark Sigal, who writes the popular Network Garden blog.
Apple shares recently rose $4.05, or 2.2%, to $189.23.
-By Ben Charny, Dow Jones Newswires; 415-765-8230; ben.charny@dowjones.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
Posted to the site on 6th June 2008
