Apple files iPod, web tools and mice patents

Link: Apple files iPod, web tools and mice patents
Filed under: Apple News, Technology News

Apple has filed several new patent applications with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) for innovations to iPods, web pages and mice.

The patent applications, which have been posted on the PTO’s web site, have caused speculation that WiFi-capable iPods could soon be able to share songs and other media.

One of patents seems to describe a method for allowing an iPod or iPhone to communicate with a neighboring device through a wireless network.

This could allow songs and other media to be shared between WiFi capable iPhones.

This isn’t a new idea - Microsoft’s Zune music player is already capable of exchanging songs with fellow Zune owners.

Apple’s other patent applications include input technology to enable designers to manipulate three-dimensional images with a two-dimensional input device such as a mouse.

Another patent describes technology to allow inexperienced Web designers to create sophisticated Web pages using tools generally only available to professionals.

The patent applications may not necessarily develop into products, but do give a hint of the direction future technology could take.