Apple That

It appears as if Apple has recently won a couple of patent applications that the company has created over the past few years. These patents include such things as the second generation iPod Shuffle, as well as the ability to switch between applications during a call on the iPhone. Unfortunately, these patents do not foreshadow anything that will be released in the future necessarily nor were they meant to be kept secret for long.

However, even though these patents may not lead to new technologies, each is interesting to look at in order to know the process. One thing that sticks out immediately is that Steve Jobs’ name is still very much attached to the core of these transactions.

The first application displays details about a button that will allow the user to switch between apps while talking to someone on their iPhone. You would, essentially, be able to tap the application switch icon that is on the same screen as the phone dialer and switch back to the call with another button located above the display at your leisure.

Functionality like this was replaced by the multitasking abilities of iOS 5 since the application was created. The original patent was filed back in Q1 of 2008 and credits Senior Vice President of iPhone Software Scott Forstall, as well as his team members Stephen Lemay, Imran Chaudhri, Greg Christie and Marcel Van Os.

The other patent was for the second generation iPad Shuffle which also credits Steve Jobs as a designer. There are dotted lines in the picture of the patent that, interestingly enough, are not claimed in the patent. Then there is a microperforated and backlit display having alternate display capabilities which relates to an earlier patent won by Apple. That patent win deals with components on Apple computers that are invisible until light is shown behind them.

Full details can be found at Patently Apple, who have recently found themselves in possession of these newly won patent applications. Head on over there if you want to learn all about it.

Source: Slash Gear – Apple Patents won for iPhone application switching, iPod Shuffle

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I don’t think I have to remind you just how many apps are available for the iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad (over 500,000). If you are an iOS user, you have undoubtedly purchased or downloaded at least one app from the App Store and, in doing so, you have probably noticed that some of them offer the option of purchasing additional content. These apps usually come in the form of apps that have multiple levels, like Angry Birds.

This type of content can be anything, like more levels, character designs in games, like that business simulation game online, or added functionality and expansions. However, not all (but a lot) of apps with additional content for purchase allow you to buy from directly inside the application itself.

Unfortunately, not every app that allows in-app purchasing is as up front about the fact that they do this and, sometimes make it extremely easy to “accidentally” purchase in-app content. One of the more controversial apps of late to pull a stunt like this was Smurfs’ Village. Children played the game on their parent’s phone and unknowingly purchased a whole lot of undesired content.

Thankfully, there is an easy solution that makes sure something like this doesn’t happen to you. Just follow these quick and easy steps and you will have in-app purchasing disabled until you say otherwise, making sure your child doesn’t accidentally rack up a huge phone bill with in-app purchases.

STEP 1: Turn on your iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad and from the home screen select the Settings application. From here, select “General”.

STEP 2: Scroll about halfway down the page and find “Restrictions”. Select it and then select “Enable Restrictions”.

STEP 3: Once enabled, you will be asked to create a password. The password locks certain functions on your iOS device. After you enter it twice, you’re on to the next step.

STEP 4: After creating your password, scroll down to the “Allowed Content” section and select it.

STEP 5: Slide the bar next to “In-App Purchases” from “ON” to “OFF” and that’s that! No more accidental in-app purchases will rack up on your phone bill.

Source: Digital Trends – How To: Turn off in-app purchases on Apple products

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