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Através da App Store a Apple proporciona uma forma de, empresas e programadores, desenharem e venderem aplicações para os iDevices (iPhone, iPad e iPod). Mas parece que não querem ficar por aqui. A Apple decidiu patentear ideias que podem tornar-se realidade num futuro mais ou menos próximo.

No registo de patentes Norte-Americano, podem ser vistos três pedidos de patente, com data de 29 de Julho, para outros tantos tipos de aplicações:

A primeira aplicação envolve o acesso a serviços de viagens:

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ACCESSING TRAVEL SERVICES USING A PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE

This is directed to systems and methods for integrating travel services in a single application available to a portable electronic device. Using the single application, a user can access and control travel services before arriving at the initial location of travel, on arriving at the initial location of travel, during travel, and after travel. Such services can include, for example, reserving a travel itinerary, checking-in remotely for a reservation, providing airport information, providing for social networking, obtaining dining or entertainment during travel, controlling and requesting cabin services, providing arrival notifications to third parties, providing destination location information, and the like.

(Versão integral na US Patent & Trademark Office)

A segunda  aplicação refere-se ao acesso a serviços em hotéis:

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ACCESSING HOTEL SERVICES USING A PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE

This is directed to systems and methods for integrating hotel services in a single application available to a portable electronic device. Using the single application, a user can access and control hotel services before arriving at the hotel, upon arriving at the hotel, in the hotel room, in the local vicinity, and after leaving the hotel. Such services can include, for example, checking-in and checking out, purchasing in-room dining or in-room entertainment, making reservations at local restaurants or local attractions, scheduling hotel guest reminders, and controlling room setting either within the room or outside of the room.

(Versão integral na: US Patent & Trademark Office)

A terceira pretende oferecer aos utilizadores uma forma melhorada na compra de produtos de alta costura:

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING ENHANCED ACCESS TO HIGH FASHION USING A PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE

This is directed to systems and methods for enhancing a user’s experience when shopping for high fashion items. In some embodiments, an integrated application available on an electronic device can provide information for promotional and invitation-only events, allow a user to browse and search through fashion items, recommend fashion items to purchase based on outfits desired by the user, check for the availability of particular fashion items, and view or providing ratings or reviews for stores or fashion items.

(Versão integral na: US Patent & Trademark Office)

Sendo verdade que muitas empresas do ramo tecnológico registam patentes apenas para o caso de, no futuro, quererem desenvolver certas tecnologias, também é verdade que estes registos nos deixam a pensar o que teria acontecido se alguém, em meados dos anos 90, tivesse registado ideias como “comprar livros e música on-line” ou “fazer leilões na internet” ou, melhor ainda, “enviar correio electrónico”…