>> Wow, if this actually happens, my Apple days will come to an abrupt >> end. Donna >> >> Original URL: >> http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/11/16/intrusive_apple_ad_patent/ >> Apple seeks OS-jacking advert patent >> >> >> It's an ad ad ad ad world >> >> By Rik Myslewski in San Francisco >> >> Posted in Operating Systems, 16th November 2009 20:27 GMT >> >> Hitachi IT Operations Analyzer: 30-day free trial. >> >> Apple has filed a patent application for an intrusive ad- >> presentation system >> that requires users to acknowledge adverts before getting on with >> their >> work. >> >> The recent patent filing >> (http://appft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PG01&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=%2220090265214%22.PGNR.&OS=DN/20090265214&RS=DN/20090265214 >> >> ) >> carries the unusually straightforward title "Advertisement in >> Operating >> System." The described system would be buried deep in a device's OS >> - so >> deep >> that, in the words of the filing, "the advertisement presentation >> can in >> effect >> 'take over the system' in relevant aspects for a limited time." >> >> The filing specifically describes the system as "disabling" normal >> operation >> of >> a device while the ad is being presented. The ad - either "visual or >> audible" - >> could be presented in a window on top of all other open windows, in a >> background window, or even in an application window or "inserted in >> content >> from an application program." >> >> If we're deciphering Apple's patentese correctly, this mean that >> you could >> be >> working in, say, Photoshop, and a new canvas could pop up >> containing a >> mouth-watering illo of some tasty treat from Frito-Lay - and you >> couldn't >> get >> back to work until you somehow acknowledged the ad by, for example, >> clicking >> as >> directed. >> >> Or, for that matter, since an ad could be "inserted in content from >> an >> application program," you could be merrily coding along in BBEdit >> when a >> couple >> of lines appeared in your code suggesting that you investigate >> Travelocity's >> latest package deal - and you'd not be able to complete your job >> until you, >> as >> suggested in the filing, performed one of many possible actions. >> >> These actions might result in the system "causing presentation of a >> page >> from >> an advertiser associated with the advertisement; recording a user >> rating of >> the >> advertisement; again presenting the advertisement; sharing the >> advertisement >> with another user; initiating a transaction for user purchase of a >> product >> that >> eliminates the presentation of advertisements on the device," among >> other >> possibilities. >> >> As is usually the case in such filings, the range of possible >> devices is a >> long >> one, "including without limitation, portable and desktop computers, >> servers, >> electronics, media players, game devices, mobile phones, wireless >> devices, >> email devices, personal digital assistants (PDAs), embedded devices, >> televisions, set top boxes, etc." >> >> The appearance of servers on that list is particularly troubling, >> seeing as >> how >> their inclusion might imply a network-based version of ad delivery >> and >> enforced >> response. >> >> If you really want to get your conspiratorial juices flowing, >> remember that >> Apple has filed a series of patents relating to location-based >> content. >> Using >> its OS ad system in tandem with another resent filing >> (http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/03/10/itunes_on_location/), >> Apple could >> interrupt your use of Poop the World >> (http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/poop-the-world/id310125724?mt=8) as >> you >> passed >> your local purveyor of fine toiletries to let you know that you >> could pop in >> and save big on three-ply tissue. >> >> Although it boggles the mind that Apple would take such a draconian >> approach >> to >> ad delivery, the authors of this particular patent filing are >> listed as >> "Jobs; >> Steven; et al." Clearly, the man has ads on the brain. >> >> Note also that Apple is said to be taking a deeper interest in ad- >> serving >> technologies. For example, Bloomberg reported >> (http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news? >> pid=newsarchive&sid=afcIzFP3iNrY) on >> Saturday that the ever-talkative "people familiar with the matter" >> told it >> that >> Apple had been in acquisition talks with AdMob, the mobile- >> advertising >> supplier >> that Google bought >> (http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/11/09/google_to_buy_admob/) last >> week for >> $750m. >> >> Apple is not the only operating system vendor displaying an >> interest in >> acquiring a piece of ad-revenue pie. Microsoft is also providing ad >> opportunities >> (http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/11/13/windows_7_advertisers/) >> that are now available as downloadable desktop themes, but that may >> soon >> extend >> to Windows 7 borders and sounds, gadgets, and IE 8 add-ons that >> would send >> users to an advertiser's website. ® >> >> >> >> >> >> >> http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/01/14/apple_location_aware_patents/ >> >> -- >> >> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >> Groups >> "MacVisionaries" group. >> To post to this group, send email to macvisionar...@googlegroups.com. >> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >> macvisionaries+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. >> For more options, visit this group at >> http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries?hl=. >> >> >> >> -- >> >> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >> Groups "MacVisionaries" group. >> To post to this group, send email to macvisionar...@googlegroups.com. >> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >> macvisionaries+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com >> . >> For more options, visit this group at >> http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries?hl= >> . >> >> > > -- > > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google > Groups "MacVisionaries" group. > To post to this group, send email to macvisionar...@googlegroups.com. > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to > macvisionaries+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com > . > For more options, visit this group at > http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries?hl= > . > > >
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