Apple plans to make it easier to share info between Macs and iOS devices, as evidenced by a patent (number 20110047598) for device identity matching at the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office. The technology is related to identifying devices based on their owner, and more specifically related to recognizing commonly owned devices, and devices owned by contacts, to authorize network connections between the devices.
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Future Apple laptops could sports touch sensitive controls on their covers/lids, per a new patent (number 20110043227) for a method and apparatus for capacitive sensing at the US Patent & Trademark Office.
Read MoreRumors abound that Apple will announce a revamped line of MacBook Pros today. In fact, they may already have, as I’m penning this on Wednesday evening. Will we see new iMacs, as well?
In a report (http://www.digitimes.com/news/a20110221PD220.html) touching on Apple’s anticipated MacBook Pro refresh, DigiTimes suggested that Apple may also update its iMac line either alongside or soon after the notebook line’s update. In addition, the iMac update may see a change in screen size offerings from the current 21.5- and 27-inch models, the article adds.
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Two new Apple patents involving cache management and call path enforcement have appeared at the US Patent & Trademark Office.
Patent number 20110043528 is for cache management for glyph display. This is directed to managing a cache size for glyphs used to display text or other information in an electronic device. In particular, this is directed to defining a variable hit rate for retrieving glyphs loaded in cache to limit the number of times the device is required to read glyphs from storage.
Read MoreWith techies and enthusiasts in mind, risk manager Tony Harvey and his team of oddsmakers at Bookmaker.com, an online sportsbook, have calculated the odds on what’s to come for the iPhone 5, expected this summer. Here is what the odds look like:
Will the iPhone 5 have a 4-inch screen or larger?
Yes: -1000 (90%)
No: +400 (20%)
Will the device have a 10-megapixel camera or better?
Yes: +250 (28%)
No: -500 (83%)
Will the device feature a physical keyboard?
Yes: +150 (40%)
No: -200 (66%)
Will the device have a sliding cover?
Yes: +1000 (1%)
No: -5000 (99%)