Apple Still Pursuing iChat 'Answering Machine' Technology?

[MacRumors]

http://www.macrumors.com/images/macrumorsthreadlogo.gif (http://www.macrumors.com/2009/04/09/apple-still-pursuing-ichat-answering-machine-technology/)

A patent application (http://appft1.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PG01&s1=20090092234.PGNR.&OS=DN/20090092234RS=DN/20090092234) published today reveals that Apple may still be working on a video "answering machine" technology for inclusion with iChat. The technology made a brief partial appearance (http://www.macrumors.com/2006/12/13/leopard-ichat-answering-machine/) in early OS X Leopard developer seeds in December 2006, but was omitted from the finished product.

The patent application, filed in October 2007, describes the use of pre-recorded video messages that can be enabled and offered in response to video chat requests from other users. The pre-recorded video message could be displayed to the caller in response to a "do not disturb" status message on the part of the receiver or after a set period of time without a response from the receiver.


http://images.macrumors.com/article/2009/04/09/143923-ichat_answering_machine_300.png

The invention also includes possible additional features of allowing the original caller to leave their own video message for the receiver and a user interface for viewing the message at a later time. Incoming messages could either be stored locally on the receiver's computer or on a central server, allowing both outgoing and incoming messages to be stored for later delivery even when the receiver's computer is offline.

The use of pre-recorded video clips was also a concept employed in early prototypes of the iPhone (http://www.macrumors.com/2006/12/05/apple-iphone-backstory-mac-os-x-tie-ins/). In that case, it was planned that iPhone users would be able to "call ahead", sending a pre-recorded video message to their intended recipient to be viewed before the recipient answered the call. With increasing evidence (http://www.macrumors.com/2009/04/07/iphone-video-recording-interface-digital-compass-voice-control-and-auto-focus-camera/) for video camera functionality in the next-generation iPhone, the possibility exists that the "video answering machine" technology could also make its way into Apple's mobile devices.

Article Link: Apple Still Pursuing iChat 'Answering Machine' Technology? (http://www.macrumors.com/2009/04/09/apple-still-pursuing-ichat-answering-machine-technology/)

[schneb]

What if the other party does not have video capability? Will it work the same with just audio?

[WildCowboy]

What if the other party does not have video capability? Will it work the same with just audio?

Well, given that it is designed to respond to incoming video requests, the other party would have to have video.

[jamesybsu]

sweet. I can't wait till leave a video message with me riding the roller coaster!

[NewSc2]

sweet. I can't wait till leave a video message with me riding the roller coaster!

and the phone flying away....

[illegallydead]

I'm not really sure how useful this would be. After all, in iChat, there is a pretty painfully simple way to tell if someone is or isn't there, without the need for a message telling a caller that they are not there.

I'm not sure I understand how the iPhone bit would work, either, but if done right it could be a very compelling feature...

[kastenbrust]

I'm not really sure how useful this would be. After all, in iChat, there is a pretty painfully simple way to tell if someone is or isn't there, without the need for a message telling a caller that they are not there.

I'm not sure I understand how the iPhone bit would work, either, but if done right it could be a very compelling feature...

I dont think you understand how this is going to work, its not just something to let you leave a message saying you aren't available, its an answer phone, so you can leave a message for other people when you call them if they aren't available, like on your normal phone. Yahoo messenger already has it.

[G4DP]

Before this, how about they make it usable with the rest of the world first.

[Robbadore64]

As if drunk texts and drunk voicemails weren't bad enough... :rolleyes:

[micko2004]

iPhone would have to have a camera on the front screen side though to work, right? :)

[11800506]

Sounds like a cool feature but it's usefulness at least for me seems limited.

[iMacoo7]

The conversation I had with a person that works for apple is coming to be more and more a reality.
I was told there would be an instant messaging application designed by apple and "BOOM!" Here comes this nice little patent that has been sitting since 2007 seeing the light of day.
If you think about it, it would be easier to leave a video message by having a front facing camera to make sure you are centered in the video and or to reject it or reposition your iphone to make it just right.
That being said, Im betting on a front facing camera.
That is one of the hardware features allot of users have been gunning at since the 1st iPhone.
I know I might get a bit of "flack" and others ruling out a front facing camera, but in all reality some countries use a front facing camera phone to converse with family members in other parts of the world.
Given the iphones popularity and also user base, it would be a nice little edition IMO.....

In ending, Allot of Mac users use iChat on their macs, so it would make perfect sense to make some sort of application on the iphone to regulate when a call/incoming message is received. Instead of the incoming chat to take over what the user is currently doing

[iMacoo7]

iPhone would have to have a camera on the front screen side though to work, right? :)

Your right!
There are other forums that I am apart of with people complaining about Apple not adding iChat (This has been since the 1st iPhone), that being said, It will only be plausible for the iphone to have a front facing camera.

[Stately]

and the phone flying away....

Hahahahaha . .:D Exaaactly.

[b1wils1]

this sounds like Total Recall.

baby...you making me wish i had three handsssssss.

[bytethese]

Calling Dick Tracy, calling Dick Tracy...

"Please leave your video message at the tone."

Awesome. This would rock if it comes to fruition. :)

[Stately]

I really hope this is incorporated in the upcoming iphone. I got so amped up last time around over the speculation of this tech. By the time it was unveiled, I was beyond disappointed lol.

[mikeinternet]

Sounds great.

I wonder if it will actually work? I'm sure it'll be released weather it does or not.

[3goldens]

Just What I Need Another Answering Machine, Not!

[ztigerpaw]

Impressive. And were not even in the 21st century yet.

[JMax1]

Instead of text messaging it would be video messaging, eh? Nice!

[michael.lauden]

if this comes out i will definitely purchase the system!! man. just what i want - another web based service that replaces something i pay for per month!

[IJ Reilly]

This feature can be patented? Sounds too obvious for a patent.

[iMacoo7]

I really hope this is incorporated in the upcoming iphone. I got so amped up last time around over the speculation of this tech. By the time it was unveiled, I was beyond disappointed lol.

Matter of fact that same speculation was shown here on this site. The patent details with it showing iChat along with other new features. I was a little dismayed as well but figured it would be the following iPhone that would present the feature set along with all of the other major upgrades to the phone as they saw fit.
Seems as though they have been focusing on all hardware feature sets that need to be implemented into this new version. So like you and others We will see what is in the final product and what is not.
iChat would be awesome but all the same Apple is the only one who knows what will or will not be entered, thats why hopes do not get too high on all rumors that come along. Even though it sounds nice

[DELLsFan]

Video messaging seems to me at best to be of marginal utility - though this may change in the future. If not everyone owns the technology, then the application of it has limits.

One day when we all own iPhones and Macs, I can see this being a no-brainer.

:apple:

[iPhoneNYC]

I like email and text and don't really see where a video answering machine will get us...

[illegallydead]

I dont think you understand how this is going to work, its not just something to let you leave a message saying you aren't available, its an answer phone, so you can leave a message for other people when you call them if they aren't available, like on your normal phone. Yahoo messenger already has it.

OK, I re-read the article and I think I misplaced like a word or two, which totally changed my understanding of the technology.
This could be cool, then.

Of course, there is the argument as to whether Video is really a good way to communicate from computers or iPhones (as the drunk dial comment exemplifies), but I hope and pray that this thread does not descend into an argument over that topic...

[bobajoul]

This may also be used in other appliances. Verizon recently revealed a home phone with software interfaces and conferencing features that used your wireless and VOIP connection. You could see some form of video appliance (perhaps the much rumored tablet that did more than internet surf) that Apple and ATT sell. I have heard rumors the ATT relationship will be extended. This would be a nice fit for both companies.

[SkippyThorson]

and the phone flying away....
:confused:

He meant using the Roller Coaster background in iChat. Not recording his message while on the Superman. :p

This sounds like an interesting little feature. Maybe not one that makes me want the next OS, but an interesting one indeed.

[scottness]

On a scale from 1 to 10...
9 for coolness
2 for usefulness

...at least for me.

[iMacoo7]

Video messaging seems to me at best to be of marginal utility - though this may change in the future. If not everyone owns the technology, then the application of it has limits.

One day when we all own iPhones and Macs, I can see this being a no-brainer.

:apple:

Actually it can apply to the masses ,because there are a ton of people that have google talk, aim accounts, this will stem to those as well. I have several friends that do not own a mac that have Google talk and aim accounts that I chat with using iChat. Who knows if Apple plans on adding additional features to the iChat interface besides what is available now.
So the market does stretch beyond those whom own macs and iPhones as of right now with the mac version of iChat.
I can see Apple opening up the application to be more user friendly with other messaging applications like yahoo, msn for example( to enable video conferencing which allot of people use it for chatting and others for business purposes). Yahoo already has the ability to call others IM name and leave messages.....
Only thing needs to be implemented is adding other IM services to work with iChat... Problem solved

[jbernie]

As if drunk texts and drunk voicemails weren't bad enough... :rolleyes:

Even better when you then send it to the wrong person.... i don't know who this idiot is leaving me a drunk video message but hmmm...


As to the technology I think we might need to wait and see on how it is implimented, in some ways it seems kind of pointless but if done right it could be quite useful.

[JimmyDreams]

They say "a picture is worth a thousand words".

A video message could be worth more.

ex: "Hey, thanks for not picking up your phone. Just LOOK at what you're missing! (pan video of bar full of naked people with Bill Gates handing out free money) Sucks to be you!!"

Yeah, I can see that happening!!

:rolleyes:

[iMacoo7]

They say "a picture is worth a thousand words".

A video message could be worth more.

ex: "Hey, thanks for not picking up your phone. Just LOOK at what you're missing! (pan video of bar full of naked people with Bill Gates handing out free money) Sucks to be you!!"

Yeah, I can see that happening!!

:rolleyes:
:D

[grapemac]

One thing Apple are very good at is implementing features I've currently no use for that - when I have them - I end up using frequently.

I think I agree with what Stephen Fry said a while back; the third iPhone hardware/OS is going to be the big one.

[iMacoo7]

Instead of text messaging it would be video messaging, eh? Nice!

Which would be lovely. I have been paying for unlimited text,video messaging etc. for our family talk plan for sometime now. The only ones that currently receive and send video messages are my wife and daughter. Hopefully this will change the game

[Rarney22]

Front facing camera? Then what about pictures that your not in? Two camera's?? :confused:

[iMacoo7]

Front facing camera? Then what about pictures that your not in? Two camera's?? :confused:

What are you saying??
Pictures that your not in????......
I think you are missing the point.
The ability to have a front facing camera would make it easier to look at your display as well as see the person you are chatting with.
That is the reason for the front facing camera.
2 cameras:
1. On the back for capturing photos , videos etc..
2. Front facing camera to take face photos without searching blindly for the button that snaps the photo....
Clear enough for you?

[michael.lauden]

What are you saying??
Pictures that your not in????......
I think you are missing the point.
The ability to have a front facing camera would make it easier to look at your display as well as see the person you are chatting with.
That is the reason for the front facing camera.
2 cameras:
1. On the back for capturing photos , videos etc..
2. Front facing camera to take face photos without searching blindly for the button that snaps the photo....
Clear enough for you?

i think he was just giving you a hard time... although it's hard to tell

[armoguy94]

I don't think that there will be a front facing camera on the iPhone and I don't think video chatting will come to the iPhone, at least from any apple-made product. They're never going to have 2 cameras on a phone, because that would be paying extra for something that many people would not have ANY use for at all. It'll be a waste of money for ones who won't use it, or use it on an occasional basis. And they definitely won't take out the camera on the back.

[Rarney22]

i think he was just giving you a hard time... although it's hard to tell
No I wasn't trying to give anyone a hard time i was actually confused because i cant imagine apple giving us 2 cameras if right now their only giving us one 2 megapixel that doesn't have video. If your calling for more megapixels and video on each then that would be a pretty huge upgrade, something apple hasn't been doing much of lately. I hope this is more clear with my point.

[MacFly123]

I'm not too excited about this, but the one thing that made me happy was the remark about it working in an app on the iPhone :) A little more hope for a front camera! :D

[Sehnsucht]

this sounds like Total Recall.

baby...you making me wish i had three handsssssss.

LMAO!!! :D :D :D

[Sehnsucht]

ex: "Hey, thanks for not picking up your phone. Just LOOK at what you're missing! (pan video of bar full of naked people with Bill Gates handing out free money) Sucks to be you!!"

What, no love for Steve Ballmer? :D :D

[bedifferent]

I remember seeing "Answering Machine" on iChat in Leopard beta build 10A222. At first I thought it was silly, more along the lines of the video effects. Then I began thinking about the concept.

As some on MacRumors may realize, the home computer system has been evolving quickly of the past few years. The trend seems to be heading towards an all-in-one home system, used for work, entertainment with iTunes and AppleTV, and communication with IM programs and mobile phones. Perhaps home computer systems become full communication systems, connecting with home and mobile lines. The computer interacts with digital cable systems and/or land lines, becoming an answering machine. A message is digitally recorded for audio and video communication, depending on the type of medium an away message is played and the computer system records any left messages. With the "Time Capsule", messages may be stored and retrieved from any where using your iPhone.

I know, at the point in the game it is simply conjecture, but it is an interesting concept. I'm not certain what hardware would be required in order for a standard land line to communicate with home computer systems, but it was an interesting idea.

[jbernie]

I don't think that there will be a front facing camera on the iPhone and I don't think video chatting will come to the iPhone, at least from any apple-made product. They're never going to have 2 cameras on a phone, because that would be paying extra for something that many people would not have ANY use for at all. It'll be a waste of money for ones who won't use it, or use it on an occasional basis. And they definitely won't take out the camera on the back.

Don't worry, no matter how useless it really is the media will tell us how amazing it is and ask how we managed to live without it for a few thousand years :D

[michael.lauden]

I remember seeing "Answering Machine" on iChat in Leopard beta build 10A222. At first I thought it was silly, more along the lines of the video effects. Then I began thinking about the concept.

As some on MacRumors may realize, the home computer system has been evolving quickly of the past few years. The trend seems to be heading towards an all-in-one home system, used for work, entertainment with iTunes and AppleTV, and communication with IM programs and mobile phones. Perhaps home computer systems become full communication systems, connecting with home and mobile lines. The computer interacts with digital cable systems and/or land lines, becoming an answering machine. A message is digitally recorded for audio and video communication, depending on the type of medium an away message is played and the computer system records any left messages. With the "Time Capsule", messages may be stored and retrieved from any where using your iPhone.

I know, at the point in the game it is simply conjecture, but it is an interesting concept. I'm not certain what hardware would be required in order for a standard land line to communicate with home computer systems, but it was an interesting idea.


+1. i would really love my mac mini to be the center hub for my phone, my media center, my internet, my network and plain old computing!

[SandynJosh]

Video messaging seems to me at best to be of marginal utility - though this may change in the future. If not everyone owns the technology, then the application of it has limits.

You know this kind of comment was made when wall-mounted wooden-encased crank-type telephones were introduced to the world.

[iMacoo7]

I don't think that there will be a front facing camera on the iPhone and I don't think video chatting will come to the iPhone, at least from any apple-made product. They're never going to have 2 cameras on a phone, because that would be paying extra for something that many people would not have ANY use for at all. It'll be a waste of money for ones who won't use it, or use it on an occasional basis. And they definitely won't take out the camera on the back.

So what you are saying is that the iPhone will never see the light of day of video chatting using iChat AV???
Do you seriously believe that?
If so , then you need to take your blinders off. The world moves in faster circles towards the future of making it happen than others that are at a standstill and do not move by saying that it will never happen.......

[SandynJosh]

Apple has a winner if they include video and front-facing cameras in the next iPhone.

The world is full of teenaged girls that can't resist snapping a shot or two of their naked budding bodies. Now they will be able to do it with video. Stand ready to see more of Miley making mimi-vids for her 20 year old lover accidently making their way to the late-night internet.

:rolleyes:

[EagerDragon]

Would be nice being able to leave a message. I do not know how many times I connected to talk to someone in a hurry and they were not online and I had no way to leave a message.

I assume there will be security measures so you can only get messages (voice and video) from those in your buddy list. Without it, it is spam city.

[iMacoo7]

Apple has a winner if they include video and front-facing cameras in the next iPhone.

The world is full of teenaged girls that can't resist snapping a shot or two of their naked budding bodies. Now they will be able to do it with video. Stand ready to see more of Miley making mimi-vids for her 20 year old lover accidently making their way to the late-night internet.

:rolleyes:

Thats another factor to consider, Allot of teens use the iphone and video chatting is alive and well amongst teenagers and some older generations.
I think the main factor most forum members are overlooking is that Apple is trying to "takeover" the business aspect of things with the iphone. I know a good bit of professionals that use video chatting for company meetings as well as conversing with overseas business contacts.
There are millions of iphone users and to implement this into the "Pro" model of the iphone would be welcomed by many.

I have noticed allot of members saying that they would not use the feature set nor care for it, but once something like this hits , then its..... Oh yea... It is pretty cool to use from time to time...:rolleyes:

[ricksbrain]

The "puck" is heading toward tele-presence, not text messaging and email. Humans like face-to-face interaction, even though some say they like text messaging or (insert current tech here). If technology can make humans feel as if they are together, though they are far apart, it will succeed and move forward.

Video chat is a logical part of this progression. Inching forward to make video chatting more common, easier to use, and relevant to daily life is only part of the process, too.

When did Bell invent the telephone and how long after did AT&T keep asking people to reach out and touch someone? Decades. The tech was there, but needed to be adopted, improved, and solidified as a legitimate means of communication. Sometimes, things move fast, but sometimes not. With video chatting, the tech is here, but in its infancy, especially in terms of adoption beyond bedroom-refuged-teens. It needs to be close enough to what people use now to be acceptable and approachable, but enough of a move forward to be interesting and a step forward. Pony express-->...-->tele-presence. Step by step is how it goes.

[SandynJosh]

When did Bell invent the telephone and how long after did AT&T keep asking people to reach out and touch someone?

The resistance to the early phone went something like this, "No self-respecting man would be caught talking to a box on the wall."

Now, of course, with a cell phone and a blue tooth ear piece, we all can get caught talking to ourselves while getting groceries....or is the price of tomatoes that have us talking to ourselves? :D

[MrCrowbar]

Now, of course, with a cell phone and a blue tooth ear piece, we all can get caught talking to ourselves while getting groceries....or is the price of tomatoes that have us talking to ourselves? :D

Yea, what's up with tomato prices? It's ridiculously high right now. :eek:
I like video chatting with my people. iChat rarely works through routers (home users almost always go through a router) and video chat only works from mac to mac. And very few people have AIM or iChat acounts in Germany. If iChat want to succeed, there needs to be a version for Windows (and Linux) and the routing issue needs to be resolved. When working, the audio and video quality is oustanding compared to Skype and it looks much nicer too, especially conference video calls.

[babyj]

There is a big problem with messaging services (such as iChat) and mobile phones, whether it be text or video chats, which is the same problem there is with VOIP (such as Skype) - it bypasses the current revenue streams for mobile phone companies.

If you send a text message via iChat it goes as data rather than sms, if you make a phone call via Skype it goes as data rather than a call. Until the mobile phone companies find a solution to this so that they still get their revenue they will be fighting it every step of the way.

The obvious solution is moving to a flat rate with no usage charges (for most services, they'd still charge for calls to land lines in less developed countries for example) or to charging based on data sent and received. We're getting closer to it, its possible the iPhone will help to force the issue or at least be one of the first to get the new methods of charging - Apple have the platform to do it which most others don't.

There is also the problem of all the different messaging systems, everyone will need to agree on a common platform before things like this become standard. You can see Apple working it out with Google and Yahoo and other smaller providers, but I don't see Microsoft joining the party anytime soon.

[twoodcc]

i think this is a cool idea. i would like to see this in snow leopard and the next iPhone

[W1LLk]

Impressive. And were not even in the 21st century yet.

Actually, this is the 21st Century, Fox wasn't called 20th century Fox decades ago to try and sound futuristic. The year 2100 will be the beginning of the 22nd century. FYI :apple:

[MikeTheC]

Yet another software patent that we don't need. :(

[jbernie]

There is a big problem with messaging services (such as iChat) and mobile phones, whether it be text or video chats, which is the same problem there is with VOIP (such as Skype) - it bypasses the current revenue streams for mobile phone companies.

If you send a text message via iChat it goes as data rather than sms, if you make a phone call via Skype it goes as data rather than a call. Until the mobile phone companies find a solution to this so that they still get their revenue they will be fighting it every step of the way.

I though thats why they charged so much for things such as txt messaging and data plans and the like, must have been mistaken. Given how many minutes you can get with some of the basic plans in the USA there really isn't any incentive to use Skype for the local calls and for international I pay $4 a month and call my family in Australia at 7 or 8c a minute which might possibly be a bit more than Skype but it doesn't break the bank by any means.

[scottness]

Would this be anything like Skype's voicemail? Think we can get an iChat phone number? I doubt it...

[acidedge76]

The "video answering machine" technology has existed for years now. It is employed on Ojo videophones used by deaf and hard-of-hearing people worldwide. They can leave sign language messages via video for people they call. Apple may be the first ones to use it for video IM purposes, but it shouldn't be too hard to adapt for the application.