Coming Soon ‘At A Glance’ Screen For iPhone?

I love when Apple files for new patents, because it always gives us a sneak peek at what they’re working on. So what’s in the Apple brain trust bin? Well it looks like they’re looking to add “at a glance” screen to the iPhone. This would give the use access to a one-page roundup of phone's calls, SMS and voicemails with a one-click that takes you to any of the features.

Very cool!

[Gizmodo]

Concept iphone Ordering Screen For Starbucks

Apple has talked about how they will have a ordering and paying patent for iphone, and it looking like that might be coming to light. These concept designs were created by Phil Lu, and they look pretty real. Turns out that Apple didn't go with this design, choosing to go with a credit card payment system instead of Lu's Semacode to confirm payment. Lu's answer to this:

"This concept was designed before the Apple patent is widely publicized. Similar to ordering song through the web via iTune account, Semacode works like a digital "receipt," allowing the user to use their iTunes account for the transaction (which will bypass credit card transaction/identification, and speed up the pick-up process)."

Although these designs look so good, we'll have to wait until MacWorld to find out what it will truly look like.

[Genoco via Gizmodo]

RIM Files For Patent On New Blackberry Keyboard

If you've been blowing your friends away with how fast you can text on a Blackberry, you're about to take it up a notch. RIM has filed for a patent on the newest angular style keyboard that is said to improve accuracy and speed with a more natural feel. The design is similar to the ergonomic keyboards that most desktop users are working with.

No word on when (or if) this design might make it to the streets, but RIM wanted to make sure that no one else takes the idea.

[ Mobilewhack via Engadget]

Apple Takes Off Its Buttons

In Apple's quest to make the world completely buttonless, another wonder is on its way.

Apple has filed a patent for a buttonless mouse which senses where your fingers are located on its body. This would be the first "mouse with optical sensing surface", similar to how the iphone senses when a face is near and turns the display off.

No word on when this may see the light of day. So stay tuned.

Read about the patent after the jump. [US Patent and Trademark via Engadget]

LG Sues Hitachi: 'Hands off my patent you damn dirty ape!'

LG has filed suit in Texas against television-manufacturer Hitachi, claiming that the company is violating patents LG holds. LG is seeking the big bucks and an injunction to halt the sale and production of any television sets that violate patents.

The dispute is over patents relating to plasma display panel development, which I’m assuming has to do with the displays of several TVs.

Read the entire article after the jump. [Reuters]