And Then Facebook Ended: Here’s to iGroup from Apple

Ashley — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 00:07:04 +0000

Another day, another lawsuit, another patent: The day in the life of Apple. In all honesty though, I do not think that there is a day where there is no discussion regarding Apple or Steve Jobs. People are always talking about Apple by blogging, tweeting, Facebooking, and MySpacing (not everyone uses MySpace…actually, who actually uses MySpace anymore?). Anyways, this patent for the iGroups app will essentially allow people to use their iPhone at concerts or different events where users can “invite one another to a group and access information related to group discussion and activities on their devices” by exchanging tokens on a Bluetooth or Wifi. MacRumors gives an example that this app could be used if “a number of attendees of a rock concert set their Bluetooth-enabled devices to Token Exchange mode. All devices within transmission range of each other at the concert and that are set in Token Exchange mode begin exchanging and storing tokens. These devices are collectively referred to as a Group, and the users associated with devices in the Group are referred to as Group members. The Token Exchange is referred to as a “contact event.” The contact event can be associated with a “contact time” defined by timestamps provided to the trusted service.”

Essentially, this “iGroups” application sounds similar to a fast forwarded Facebook relationship. Instead of potentially waiting after the concert example to get to know your neighbors and friend them, while you are moshing, you can befriend them immediately on your phone.

So maybe the iGroups app is not meant so much for moshing, but probably rather for networking groups. Regardless, it is interesting to see where Apple may go with social networks. Maybe one day there will be an iFriend, a social media platform from Apple.

[via MacRumors]

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And Then Facebook Ended: Here’s to iGroup from Apple