Oh yes absolutely me too. TC
On 18 Nov 2009, at 12:41, Donna Goodin wrote: >>> 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=. >> >> >> > > > -- > > 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. 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