• iGroups: Apple's Social Networking Technology

    iGroups: Apple's Social Networking Technology

    Techtree News Staff, Mar 21, 2010 1537 hrs IST

    iPhone will get location based social networking technology application

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Have you ever wondered if the tight-lipped and always secretive company Apple would ever be interested in Social Networking? Well, a freshly discovered Apple patent filing details a social networking technology that works via Wi-Fi as well as Bluetooth. This technology makes use of the device (iPhone or iPod Touch) owner's proximity. So, if you re attending an event, then there is a possibility to connect with other like-minded people and share thoughts during the event.


 


This might surprise many of us but Apple's token-based social networking technology is quite interesting. It's yet another location based social network following Gowalla, Four Square, MyTown and A few others. The iGroups Social Networking Technology involves number of devices co-located at a geographic location can broadcast and receive tokens. However, the wireless communication through exchange of tokens takes place only between the device holding individuals in events like concerts, social gathering or business conference taking place in a certain geographical area.


 


The application shows up a list of people present at a particular public or private event and using the iGroups application. The interface has several buttons that include the basic ones like to accept or decline invitation to join a group. 


Based on the ad-hoc wireless mode architecture, the tokens carry bits of information for the brief contacts . Users can exchange schedules from calendar app, contacts, etc. in the form of tokens. This location based social networking technology may debut with future iPhone software and/or hardware. However, Netcoder Aps developed iGroup app already exists in the App Store so Apple may have it removed or get the name of the app changed.


 

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Discussion Board
(1) Comments
Krizanand
,Hyd, on Mar 22, 2010 11:15 AM
Now i understand why Nokia sued apple for Patent infringement, this type of service(via bluetooth) was available for Nokia devices sometime back and now its not there, no clue why Nokia dropped it, thing about Apple is they quitely pick up other's technology and puts them on their devices. I heard some morons saying Multitouch is patented by Apple LOL....
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