With technologies like electric cell-tugboat triangulation, Global Positioning System and WiFi location trailing, it’s not hard for the iPhone to determine your location. Firing up Google (NSDQ: GOOG) Maps and hit the “Locate Me” button is proof enough that your iPhone tin track you more closely than an embittered ex-girlfriend. But, it doesn’t stop there. Apple (NSDQ: AAPL)’s latest patent of invention diligence indicates that the good folks in Cupertino ar workings on engineering that could make your iPhone’s homescreen localization-aware. Armed with that selective information, your iPhone could one day tailor its interface to match the city or state you are currently in.
The Apple patent filing for “Transitional Data Sets”, dated Feb. 21, 2008, outlines a method for changing homescreen icons based on the iPhone drug user’s stream location. The technology is apparently aimed at streamlining the glut of iPhone apps cluttering many users’ iPhones. Rather than having to wade through dozens of apps, the new Apple technical school would present localization-specific apps on the homescreen.
A drug user would “create a set of location-aware applications” that would use localization-aware information from “transitional information sets.” Apple defines the “transitional information set” as localization-particular data used in many iPhone apps (weather condition, meter, maps, etc.). Going even further, Apple’s patent would change iPhone application icons depending on the current billet. If the iPhone detects that it’s in San Francisco, the Maps app mightiness display the Golden Gate Bridge. In New House of York, the app icon mightiness display Times Square.
Of the many Apple patent of invention filings, this engineering seems the most likely to make it to market. Most smartphones today ar already aware of your location. It’s a logical next measure that the smartphone tailors what it shows you based on your localization.
iPhone OS 4.0, anyone?
