Actually you should read "The Machine Stops" by E.M. Forster if you think this concept is chilling. In his story he fortells the whole internet and social thing and he wrote it in 1909
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Apple Researching How the iPhone Can Help You Make New Friends
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Actually you should read "The Machine Stops" by E.M. Forster if you think this concept is chilling. In his story he fortells the whole internet and social thing and he wrote it in 1909
I was thinking the same thing. This will apeal to those looking to "Hook Up"...there are plenty of gays who use Grindr, Skruff, etc. This has its (although small and not mainstream) market!
...Imagine how much more time you could spend with your friends if you can see where they are. "Oh he/she's close, let's catch up!" Come on people!
...And me saying: Dargn, they spotted me. Better start moving faster!
Apple Patented My Idea!
I'm in total shock. Almost everything about that patent, including the screen shots, is nearly identical to an app I've been working on for the past 4 months.
Anyone have any advice for a young app developer who just had his 80% complete app patented by the worlds largest tech company?
I'm in total shock. Almost everything about that patent, including the screen shots, is nearly identical to an app I've been working on for the past 4 months.
Anyone have any advice for a young app developer who just had his 80% complete app patented by the worlds largest tech company?
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That's it. Thread over.
I lol'ed... Lots.
As a fellow MacRumors member, I have to express how much I feel that must suck. However, there's not much, if anything, you can do. It's not like Apple knowingly outed you. Did you have anything patented or protected?
You're free to release your App as you please, but just be aware that Apple may release its counter-app at any time. Most of these patented things never happen though, they're mostly there just in case they ever do - and Apple has a TON of patents.
As Apple, I'm sure they'd just say too bad, and laugh at any legal action you ever pursue.
Not only that but a similar app was shown at the CTIA show about ten years ago. It had you put a personality / compatibility check on a web site. When a fellow subscriber that matched your profile was within a few blocks of you, the service would connected the two in a conversation where neither knew each others phone number. Both paid a premium to get the "matching" phone call.
It was up and running, not a single carrier took service. Many saw hot young girls getting hammered with calls from guys which in turn would make the carrier look bad. This is one of those patents that should be licensed to a third party and tried without the Apple name getting connected to what some call "creeperware."
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Yup, you may have a few options.
1) Approach Apple and show how close you are, try to license or better get hired by Apple.
2) Change your app and business plan so it is not infringing.
3) Find an overseas third party that will sell your app in a jurisdiction that doesn't extradite that patent.
Also, take this as a hard real world lesson. You need to learn the basics of patent law at the least if you are in this business. Also filing a few patents on your own does not hurt at all. I have seen indies rolled into start-ups just on their personal patent filings. Do this right and your can pay off your parents mortgage on one of their anniversaries.
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Can be creepy, but can be cool...
Yes, I see how this can be creepy, but I also see how it can be cool. I go to bars to dance, but most people go to drink or cruise. It would be nice to know which girls are there to dance and what kind of dancing they do and even what kind of music they like. Then, when I hear a song I like, I check which girls like that kind of music and do that dance, say Salsa, and ask one to dance through the app. She probably would have already checked me out on the app and seen video of me dancing, so she knows I can dance and will likely say yes. Otherwise, I can quickly ask another girl through the app without having to walk all the way across the club to approach each one.
Yes, I see how this can be creepy, but I also see how it can be cool. I go to bars to dance, but most people go to drink or cruise. It would be nice to know which girls are there to dance and what kind of dancing they do and even what kind of music they like. Then, when I hear a song I like, I check which girls like that kind of music and do that dance, say Salsa, and ask one to dance through the app. She probably would have already checked me out on the app and seen video of me dancing, so she knows I can dance and will likely say yes. Otherwise, I can quickly ask another girl through the app without having to walk all the way across the club to approach each one.
The only advice I could give you, unfortunately, would be to start working on something else...
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Or see
suggestions above.
There are a lot of people trying to do this with an advertisement revenue stream. One I saw in public demo actually had an AR thing going where the people on the dance floor has jewelry on that sent out a radio signal that the phone would pick up. You point the camera in that direction, an graphical overlay would show with the person's handle and what they are looking for at the club. Some was talk, some was to get laid. However, the issue is that social scenes mix quickly and I cannot see this being fluid enough to fit in a social setting. Girls in particular want to see a guy and will decided individually. Stuff like this will not get the cellar-dweller neckbeards laid.
The problem is that Apple secretly filed the patent long before I started working on the idea, so A) any patent application I could pursue would be superseded by theirs and B) I had no way of knowing they had the idea first until today, 4 months into development!
Help you make new friend?
Help you make new friend? Well lots of people want to be your "friend" when they see you've got enough money to buy a SmartPhone and pay for both a service plan and a data plan on a monthly basis.
Help you make new friend? Well lots of people want to be your "friend" when they see you've got enough money to buy a SmartPhone and pay for both a service plan and a data plan on a monthly basis.
You have a few choices
1. Give up
2. Finish it and submit it feigning ignorance and see if you impress them with your app
3. Finish it and release it on Cydia and hope they don't threaten you
4. Contact them and try to license the patent for your app
5. Find proof that you came up with the idea first and sue them
In those long ago times, AKA, "the good ol'' days," a guy wouldn't get maced for saying "Hello."
On another note, Apple HAS to get a better artist in their patent application department. This drawing of the blind date I once had who's friend assured me, "she has a nice personality."
You may be totally screwed, however...can you copyright your code? Have they only a patent on the "idea," which you can maybe show is/was not unique to only Apple? If they have no code, just the idea, does that make a difference? You may need a patent attorney.
1. I don't see how this is a worse way of meeting people than going to bars or clubs, or randomly approaching strangers.
2. The patent should not be granted, possibly unless it's very narrowly tailored. As several people have noted, there are similar systems going back years. Of course given the incompetence of the USPTO, it probably will be.
2. The patent should not be granted, possibly unless it's very narrowly tailored. As several people have noted, there are similar systems going back years. Of course given the incompetence of the USPTO, it probably will be.
ROFL. I know forum rules don't like 'lol' posts, but I don't know, for some reason that image was just too funny not to.
It looks like you're trying to make a new friend.
Would you like to:
• Get to know a little more about the person by verbally communicating with them
• Skip all that unnecessary human-like behaviour and have me compile a compatibility rating based on your App Store purchases?
This is just so nerdy… and yes, a little creepy too. In real life, you just connect with some people whereas others you don't, and I'm betting there's no algorithm for it that any computer technology we currently possess can predetermine. The technology is already built into your brain, and it's accessed via a VAUI (Visual and Auditory User Interface). You just need to get out there and start interfacing with other humans.
Would you like to:
• Get to know a little more about the person by verbally communicating with them
• Skip all that unnecessary human-like behaviour and have me compile a compatibility rating based on your App Store purchases?
This is just so nerdy… and yes, a little creepy too. In real life, you just connect with some people whereas others you don't, and I'm betting there's no algorithm for it that any computer technology we currently possess can predetermine. The technology is already built into your brain, and it's accessed via a VAUI (Visual and Auditory User Interface). You just need to get out there and start interfacing with other humans.
Actually you should read "The Machine Stops" by E.M. Forster if you think this concept is chilling. In his story he fortells the whole internet and social thing and he wrote it in 1909
CoolIll check it out.
And dont be too panicked about Apple over a patent: they patent a TON of crazy stuff, all the time, and almost none of it ever sees the light of day. If they have an idea worth patenting, they do it, to protect their options.
Certainly, though, if anything related to it did see the light of day, it would be opt-in. You wouldnt have to boycott Apple to not use it.
You just lost your virginity. Welcome to the world of coding sluts. Now get in a new position!
