Type of Article: MacTech Blog

An Apple patent (number 20120218239) for backlight control of an electronic device has appeared at the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office.

An Apple patent (number ) for accessory power management has appeared at the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office. The patent is for methods, apparatus, and circuits for managing power among portable computing devices and one or more accessories.

One example provides commands to improve power management between a portable computing device and one or more accessories. Other examples provide commands that may allow a portable computing device to charge at a maximum available current level while providing an accessory with sufficient current for its proper operation.

Only 11% of customers who purchase a high definition television do so because of its 3D capabilities, according to the J.D. Power and Associates’ “2012 High Definition Television (HDTV) Report.” I’m not surprised as people don’t like wearing those wonky 3D glasses at home. Who knows? Perhaps Apple can change this.

An Apple patent (number 20120221961) for addressee-based message prioritization at the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office, showing that the company is looking to automate email sorting on its various devices.

Apple’s iPad and other tablets could have a positive impact on the television industry because viewers who use tablets to watch TV are more engaged in TV shows, according to Strategy Analytics’ latest research (www.strategyanalytics.com) into tablet owner behavior. Maybe I’m a dinosaur, but that’s not the case for me.