Three new patent applications recently made public on the US Patent Office website have revealed that Apple is attempting to patent ideas for mobile applications – in this case ones specifically relating to travel, hotels and shopping.
The fact that these patents are coming from Apple itself, rather than independent developers, has sparked criticism among commentators. While it’s common for Apple and other companies to patent their ideas, the vast majority of Apple’s previous patents have been for technology improvements, not mobile apps.
This raises questions of what Apple is trying to do with its latest move. Does it want to license the technology or compete directly with developers? And is it a deliberate strategy to block similar services on Android devices? If more basic e-commerce functions move to app-based platforms, rather than existing in a web browser, it would have an impact on mobile advertising, favouring, in this case, Apple’s iAds platform.
The applications themselves would be of interest to consumers. The travel app would allow users to create itineraries and make reservations, as well as provide a variety of airport functions such as remote check in, mobile boarding passes and more. The hotel app would allow a user to check in an out, order hotel services, make reservations and control various functions and equipment in the hotel room itself.
While Apple’s patent for its mobile shopping app focuses on fashion, its functions could be applied to a far wider variety of products. The app would display ads, browse store inventories, offer a locator function for fashion outlets, display availability, ratings and reviews and incorporate social networking.
As more and more e-commerce goes mobile, apps may in time become the preferred method of buying, which could leave more traditional browser-based advertising out in the cold.
