Apple has applied for lots of patents for touchsensitive iPod/tablets but what does this mean? Are these patent applications going to become actual products or are they merely Apple trying to get some return on projects that have been dead ended?
Lets look at Apple track record for applying for patents for new products.
Patent filed: May 6, 1998
Announced: May 7, 1998
Patent filed: October 22, 2001
Announced: October 23, 2001
Patent filed: June 24, 2004
Announced: July 19, 2004
Patent filed: March 28, 2003
Announced: June 23, 2003
Patent filed: September, 2005
Announced: ????
No significant Apple product has been seen in the patent database before its release (correct me if I’m wrong) and most of the patent applications examined have been filed very close to their release.
Why did Apple release these Tablet Patents if they weren’t immediately releasing a product? There are two theories that spring to mind: 1. They aren’t going to make a tablet but would like to license some of their ideas and user interface to third parties. 2. They got wind of Microsoft’s plans to release Origami and decided to show the market they were ready to jump on any technology advance if it proved to be popular.
Apple is diligent about releasing products and ask the fundamental question ‘Is there a market for this product’- unfortunately for touchscreen tablet lovers it doesn’t look like there is. But predicting what will become popular is difficult and maybe Apple will take a risk on its 30th anniversary (like the 20th anniversary Mac, which was very cool but cost $7,500) and lead the market like it did with the original iPod.
Time will tell.
Bring on April 1st.
“Why did Apple release these Tablet Patents if they weren � � �t immediately releasing a product?”
Apple doesn’t release patent filings. The Patent Office does. Also, companies file tons of patents that don’t end up as products, just to protect their ideas.
So what’s your point then?
Thanks Nick- the point is that Apple decides when to release its patent filings (i.e. they submit the patent application and the USPTO eventually releases it on their site). In previous product releases Apple have usually filed just before they release the product (the day before in a few of the above cases).
e.g.
Original iPod
Patent filed: October 22, 2001
Announced: October 23, 2001
Tablet
Patent filed: September 2005
Announced: ?????
The case of the recent tablet/iPod patents is different and indicates that they may not be releasing a product anytime soon but have filed the patent applications just to protect their ideas.