Apple uses a jailbroken iPhone in patent application
By Nilay Patel 
posted March 28th 2009 1:36AM
posted March 28th 2009 1:36AM
Update: To those of you saying that this is in reference to one of the claims of the patent, we're not so sure -- there's no reason for Apple to use images of a jailbroken phone to make that specific point. Remember, somebody drew this picture, they didn't have to use these specific icons or this theme to illustrate Springboard variations.
[Thanks, a|e§]
Hilarity ensues...
these are what biometric iphone models would look like if demetri martin drew them
The dev team is actually apple. they jailbreak and patch constantly to keep the phone on technology blogs every time and relevant.
omfg.... thats actually a really good theory!!!
Think about it; Have you ever seen the two in the same place at the same time?
pineapple = Dev team
apple = Apple
there's only 4 letters difference!
I totally LOLed and then I ROFLed and then I J.I.M.P.
Now, they cant sue us for jailbreaking our phone, right? RIGHT? Riiiiiiiiigghhhttt????
LOL Apple ... what a bunch of ...
The patent says:
"Display screen 500C may include options 510C for resources or applications available to the users. In some embodiments, options 510C for the same resources as other display screens may have different appearances (e.g., different icons). For example, in FIG. 5C, the options displayed for the Mail, Clock, Photos, YouTube, and Calculator applications may be different than those displayed in display screen 500A of FIG. 5A"
So Apple are saying "Hey we want the patent on this, and here are images of what it looks like on the iPhone. BUT, if people jailbreak their iPhone, steal our patent and then say - I didn't steal your patent because your patent shows an interface like this and mine is different because I've jailbroken it - they want to cover that base too.
Amusing, but the screenshot is correct in context ;)
Olololol :))))))))
Tsk, tsk. What a bunch of lawbreakers at apple!
LOL, this is funny. Jailbroken works better for sure.
LOL, I guess its OK for them to jailbreak but its not ok for us. Go figure!
RT
www.privacy-tools.us.tc
I am an ADC member for the iPhone. I can create and App called installer and SMBPrefs. I can give them those icons. I can install them on my iPhone or iPod Touch. I can take a photo of it. I can draw a photo of it. Does not mean I have a jailbroken iPhone. It could also be displaying a fullscreen photo from a jailbroken iPhone.
It could be a joke, Apple does have a sense of humor. They know lamers post everything they do on the internet then blog and comment about it for days. You played into their trap and so did I. Well played.
Uhh... I'm all for jokes, but the US Patent Office is a very bad place to make one
No, somebody actually screwed up here. At some point down the line somebody screwed up. I'm a big Apple fan, but even I am willing to accept that a) Their jailbreaking 'threats' are stupid and b) Apple (or somebody involved in the patent process) can make mistakes
Excellent points, but I wouldn't like to have rely on that defence in court. The drawings are supposed to accurately represent the product in question, if you go around saying that they're actually pictures of the device displaying pictures of a hypothetical third device, the court would surely start to get... generally annoyed with you...
Its not a joke and its not a screw up. It is referenced that way in the patent.
They're saying the screen might not have labels on the icons, they may look different, there may be an image behind it, thats all ok, its still covered in this patent.
Now I feel stupid :) Thanks!
in fig 5c i dont see a dock at the bottom. i can only think that this ipod/iphone is jailbroken ?
Has anybody noticed the app which look like the Skype logo on fig 5B.?
Look at the ends of the S. That's the Simplify Media logo. The lawyers like them some tunes.
i love how everyone jumps to "o they suck, they jail break but dont let us do it" couldnt it possibly be apple is use it on phones to see if it will cause any issues and how it affects the operation in general to allow it later to the public?
-matt
I like that you signed your own post. /sarcasm.
I also see Customize i think.
Left picture, the swirly thing?
http://www.ipodtouchfans.com/forums/imgcache/31643.png
Installer and SMBPrefs are also in the left picture.
Theres also a "ScreenShot" application in the picture on the right. And the icon with the "as" on it in the left picture was also a Jailbroken application, forget its name though.
Ohh Apple...
Add TTR to the list of Apple's applications. It has SMBPrefs, so it's firmware 1.1.x, there for no App Store, no TTR.
Wow this list i am making is pointless... Oh well :).
When these drawings were made, it was 1.x firmware and there was no app store. The top row of the left picture is:
Mobile Scrobbler (now last.fm)
Apple's SMS app
A camera icon I don't recognize
Simplify Media
That's the jailbreak Flashlight application on the left image too ;)
Notice the battery meter on the two. the Jailbroken phone is significantly reduced.
I think they knew what they were showing.
It's probably somebody at Apple is having fun with this INTENTIONALLY. They know Engadgets, AppleInsiders, etc frequently cover Apple patents. The more PR, the better.
The pics are like hand drawn or something, does Apple really need to draw like this? Isn't it funny to include "illegal" content in a the hand drawing?
i'm pretty sure they meant to do this. you have to read the patent though to see why:
from claim 50:
"Display screen 500C may in addition include a custom or personal background 512C (e.g., different background image). In some embodiments, display screen 500C may not include a dock or other feature for maintaining some options 510C in a fixed position (e.g., unlike options 510B located in dock 512B)."
it looks like that they're acknowledging the fact that people have jailbroken phones in their patent.
I like that apple screwed up and there's people willing to say "they meant to do it on purpose"
of course.... why didn't I see it.
im wondering if they are using this to show what a jailbroken device looks like compared to stock so that can prove something for how jailbreaking goes against copyright bullcrap
Is that big "S" (third icon) for Skype???
Hmm, I think the digital millennium copyright act protects icons made by the people that made those jailbreak icons, I hope they get part of the settlement when apple sues apple and settles with apple.
Yes, that is indeed an iPod touch on the right side. Remember, all we have seen so far is iPhone OS 3.0. It was probably showcased to distract from any other advances going on at Apple. It's possible that they're sneaking things like netbooks, and specific iPod touch software right under our noses. Think about it, what's stopping them from allowing different themes on the iPod they call "The Funnest iPod Ever?" And it's not as important from a security standpoint as an iPhone, so no doubt it will not have biometrics. It will however in my opinion become an open platform, I imagine to be discussed at WWDC.
Has this been verified!? If it has DAMNED thats a slipup on their part or are we in for a treat at some point? I do find however that the fact that apple DOES jailbreak phones using the methods we all do to further learn stuff about the iphone... and before you bash me, im not an apple fan AT ALL. but openmindness like that is pretty damned cool!
This patent application is a blatant underhanded attempt to patent jailbroken iPhones also. that way Apple has the authority to file suit against all jailbroken devs, and jailbroken iPhone owners. This falls along the same lines as Apple having the Antitrust-claims filled against them by Psystar thrown out. When it's obvious Apple is hypocritically claiming that Psystar is breaking the law, by doing exactly what Apple does and has been doing for some time. My proof. Well Apple made it possible with their last few OS's for the end user to dual boot Windows on their hardware. Trying to sue and crush people basicly doing the same thing but with Apples OS's is well hypocritical. For a Federal Judge to throw out Psystars Antitrust-claims that shows collaboration of Apple it's Lawyers, and the judge. The justice system is supposed to be based on fairness, but this shows a direct and blatant subversion of the law. Apple has this judge in their pocket and will use him to crush a small band of entrepreneurs that are only doing what Apple is doing. This stinks of corruption and MONOPOLY! The really sad part is people are actually defending Apple and condeming anyone that speaks out for truth and justice.
I've seen many comments on how underhanded it is to file patents and not manufacture a device, but then sue Apple for making it, and the authors defend Apple. While Apple is doing the same thing. It's no secrete Apple files tons appon tons of patents for things they never intend to make. Why in hopes that someone will and they can use it to crush that upstart company, and then once they see a market for the device or implementation of an app or idea they suddenly pop up with the device, app or implementation of aforementioned idea.
This was no slip up! this was a cold calculated move. This talk of it's firmware 1.xxx that is not valid. These patent papers were not filed 3 years ago. They were filed recently or it wouldn't even be an issue. Apple would have had Jailbreaking outlawed long ago if it were the case. No Apple is trying to squeeze the life out of anyone they deem a competitor, and any one that they view as an obstacle in them having total control over their products and anyone that uses them. That my friends is a dictatorship, and too many are blindly cheering them on from under the hazy brainwashed gaze of fanboyhood. Apple makes great products, but Apple does not deserve anyone's worship. (Worship: to feel an adoring reverence or regard for (any person or thing) ) To worship requires faith. (Faith : belief that is not based on proof: He had faith that the hypothesis would be substantiated by fact. )
I am not an Apple hater. I just wish they were not A) hypocrites, and B) were not so obviously engaging in a blatant subversion of the law.
What happen to the golden rule? It's like 93% of the world is so busy turning a blind eye to the abuses of anyone else. Ones rights are guarantied until they infringe on the rights of others. Far too many people are applauding Apple while they brutally abuse not only those they see as competition, but all those that buy their products. Have you all lost your minds? If your significant others were treating you this way would you allow it to happen? Yet it's ok because it is the gift of God to people Apple. Just the name Apple should warn you to not blindly follow Apples every word.
It truly is a sad day when blatant hypocritical behavior is applauded, and rewarded.
I am by no means knowledgeable on law and how things work in business so take this with a grain of salt and explain these things if needed. I guess I don't understand how Apple is such a terrible company by preventing the use of their software on other devices that were not specifically made for their software. It would create a tech nightmare if they were to open up their software like Microsoft does with Windows. I personally think that is why Apple's OS works so well. They can streamline it for a specific set of components and don't have to communicate with all these other vendors. I mean, there is a reason Apple is gaining popularity right now. If they were such hypocrites, I doubt they would be this successful right now.
I just got a blackberry curve. I'm amazed at how inexpensive it was. Sure the UI isn't an iPhone, the screen isn't an iPhone either, but on the other hand, wow. How cheap it was. As a mac user it's like vacationing in a 3rd World Country where everything is inexpensive. In fact they gave me $100 on amazone TO BUY the phone - so it's like 1st month free.
Apple plays an expensive game.
And apple fans actually participate in that.
The drawing was based off of a screenshot from my iPod touch that was posted on MacThemes forums in November 2007. (the link to the actual post: http://macthemes2.net/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=198289#p198289 )
Here's a link to a comparison of the screenshot and the drawing: http://macthemes2.net/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=446477
(I'm still excited that out of all the screenshots there, they picked mine!)
This is simple. Developers use unrestricted (jailbroken) devices. They just happened to use one of those to fill the patent.
perhaps the patent illustration represent an upcoming feature, such as custom themes?
Curtis the reason they are hypocrites is because they are capitalizing on people that are used to using windows, but want to be cool and trendy and get a mac. They allow windows to be dual booted by way of BootCamp, but then turn around and prosecute anyone that tries to run their OS's on outside hardware. That is the definition of a Hypocrite. Hyp-o-crite : a person who pretends to have virtues, moral or religious beliefs, principles, etc., that he or she does not actually possess, esp. a person whose actions belie stated beliefs. They do something that they openly accuse others of doing, but they like mad Salem witch hunters actively prosecute and destroy those that in turn do it to them. Any five year old could tell you that it's not fair that Apple does something that they turn around and persecute others for. It's even less fair that a federal judge throw out allegations of Antitrust-claims against Apple when their actions clearly constitute a MONOPOLY.
mo⋅nop⋅o⋅ly :
1. exclusive control of a commodity or service in a particular market, or a control that makes possible the manipulation of prices. Compare duopoly, oligopoly.
2. an exclusive privilege to carry on a business, traffic, or service, granted by a government.
3. the exclusive possession or control of something.
4. something that is the subject of such control, as a commodity or service.
5. a company or group that has such control.
6. the market condition that exists when there is only one seller
While all can be applied in this instance #3 is the clearest example. Apple ruthlessly controls their OS's. I'm not calling for the total destruction of Apple. I am just saying it's not fair, and that it's appears to be going much deeper than Apple isn't fair. They now have federal judges in their pockets. That implies some serious political connections. The social and economic repercussions that could come from such alliances do not bode well for anyone outside of Apple and those they are connected with. Any one that can not see that Apple is in the wrong is not being honest with themselves.
I love my iPhone and want a mac, but their actions are really making me think twice about that purchase.
Micheal Apples official stance on themeing has been that it greatly reduces battery life and there for is determinative to performance and not to be done. Perhaps most people are not seeing what's going on because they are not involved in the jailbroken community, and Jailbreaking is not only for app pirating. I jailbroke to be able to record video, and found many other features that are not possible under Apples thumb. The whole jailbreak community is based on open source. Which means if you can take some code and make it better then go ahead. Apple waits for outsiders to figure out how best to attain a result, and then swoops in and takes the code and patents it. That is unfair and kind of evil. Prime example Dream Catchers 3G Video Recorder and PDAnets application. Apple denied both entry into the App Store, and is now offering those features in the upcoming 3.0 firmware.
Open your eyes people
I saw this story and I let out a resounding "Ha!" In fact, it's so good I'm putting it on my own website, www.dynamicpatents.com
If you look through the patent, it seems as though it is included that way so that they can claim that other user interfaces are covered by the patent. So the patent covers the "Embedded Authentication ..." even if the device in question is jailbroken. Namely, you can't jailbreak the device to get around the patent.
It would make sense for Apple to be the ones commisioning the development of jailbreaking. They have made a fortune out of making deals to make the iphone unique to o2 and at&t etc, but jailbreaking expands the market to people who dont want those networks, therefore, apple will sell more iphones... jailbreaking makes apple MONEY!!!