ewallet
Latest
Apple expands App Store trademark in Europe
Two filings published by the European Trademark Office last week suggest the battle for the term "App Store" will expand to new product categories and new turf. Patently Apple reports that the first request from Apple, filed on March 30, expands the use of the term "App Store" from four international classes to ten. The second application, filed on March 31, covers the App Store graphic (much like the image pictured here). Apple submitted its trademark applications in Europe as Microsoft filed its second objection to Apple's registration for the term "App Store" with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Apple also recently filed a lawsuit against retail giant Amazon for naming its new mobile software marketplace "Appstore." Microsoft, Amazon and other software makers may now face similar challenges using the words "App Store" in European markets. Aside from renewing its duels with Microsoft and Amazon on a new continent, Apple's latest filings in Europe expand the "App Store" trademark into six new product categories, like games, electronic publications, educational products and hardware. Notably, one of the new product classes -- International Class 36 for those keeping score -- refers to financial affairs, credit card services, debit card services, home banking and various methods for conducting electronic transactions. Patently Apple observes this class of products goes beyond typical online transactions for buying apps and music. Could Apple's attempt to expand its "App Store" trademark into financial products hint at new electronic wallet services tied to its mobile devices? Both of Apple's new trademark applications for the term "App Store" and the associated graphic are currently marked as "under examination" by the European Trademark Office.
Apple patent offers peek at E-Wallet icon... or does it?
Patently Apple is running another of its excellent, exhaustively detailed listings of Apple's recently awarded patents. In the description of one of the awards, the site pointed out what they believe is an icon for an "E-Wallet" app, possibly pertaining to a Near Field Communications (NFC)-based electronic payment system. We've been hearing a lot about Apple's involvement with ISIS and NFC payments, so it seems likely that the drawing in this patent description could be pointing out the name and icon for such an Apple app. Or does it? For years, mobile app developer Ilium Software has marketed an application called eWallet. That term is even a registered trademark of Ilium Software, although I don't know if the trademark covers other spellings or interCappings of the name. While perhaps Apple is going to use a similar term for an electronic payment system, I'm wondering if the artist who drew the patent illustration wasn't just making a nod to a Ilium's long history in the mobile space. While the artist's conception uses the term "E-Wallet" rather than eWallet, the icon is similar to that used by Ilium Software. It's not beyond the realm of possibility that the artist simply borrowed the icon and app name for a long-standing mobile application to fill out a screen diagram. There are also only so many ways to draw a wallet. Like the good folks at Patently Apple, though, we'd like to believe that the patent info is a hint of things to come in a future iPhone. What do you think? Is it an upcoming feature, a tip of the hat to Ilium Software's eWallet, or just a slow news day at TUAW? Let us know in the comments.
'I Am Rich' makes author exactly that, does little else
Got a cool grand to burn? Before you think about buying the brand-new app I Am Rich, there are a few charities I'd hope you consider. But if you truly have that kind of money to spend, you can buy an app that touts itself as "a work of art with no hidden function at all." I Am Rich sells for $999.99 in the App Store. It also features a "secret mantra" that "may help you to to [sic] stay rich, healthy and successful." Uh huh. I've got a mantra for you: "Smile and be nice to people." There. That one's free. Hey, you can't blame the author, Armin Heinrich, because just a few sales would set him up quite nicely. What you can blame, however, is the asinine App Store vetting process, which let this dollop of poop into the system. What rocket surgeon thought this would be better than eWallet or ListPro? I fear John Gruber's prediction that the App Store wouldn't become the next VersionTracker or MacUpdate is proving exceptionally false. It's not only that I don't want to buy I Am Rich, it's that I don't accidentally want to buy it. It's ridiculously easy to buy apps for your device, and getting this one by accident would certainly ruin my day. Plus, I don't have the minimum system requirement of three popped collars to run the app. The Iconfactory's Craig Hockenberry notes, though, that he's willing to spend 99 cents on an app with graphics identical to I Am Rich, but only featuring the mantra "I'm not stupid." Judging from the App Store's app admission track record, though, that one should get approved in no time. Thanks, Mark, Oliver, Rubbinz, Sherman, William, and Gruber for the tip! Update: It appears I Am Rich has been removed from the U.S. App Store. For what reasons, exactly? We may never know. Thanks, Adam, for the update!
TUAW Review: eWallet for iPhone
I recently wrote a post about Ilium Software, developer of longtime mobile apps eWallet and ListPro, and Apple's delays in getting their applications into the App Store.I don't take any credit (it was pure coincidence), but about 8 hours after my post eWallet showed up in the App Store. I purchased it immediately, since I used the Windows Mobile and Palm OS versions for years and have been hoping for an iPhone version. In short, eWallet is both attractive and functional. It stores your passwords, credit card numbers, and other personal information securely with 256-bit AES encryption, and it does it with iPhone style. At $9.99, eWallet for iPhone is priced at half of the price of its $19.95 siblings for Palm OS and Windows Mobile.Read after the break for the rest of my review of Ilium Software's eWallet for iPhone (link opens iTunes Store), and check the gallery below for screenshots of eWallet in action. %Gallery-28175%
Slippery Rock University intros RFID payment system for mobiles
And you thought going away to college was the first step to freedom. Au contraire, students (and faculty, no less) entering Pennsylvania's Slippery Rock University will actually be faced with an RFID tag made for their handset, which will "allow them to pay for everything from laundry and copier services to movies and groceries in the surrounding town of Slippery Rock." The 13.56MHz tags were developed by Heartland Payment Systems and utilize NFC to make spending their parents' cash all the more simple. Of course, high rollers should be aware that their guardians can log in at any time and view their purchasing habits, so we'd be careful before pulling out the long face and car trouble story. The cards will reportedly cost around $1 apiece, but will be "available for free" to all of the SU students.[Via Textually]
Jton's MobiWallet RFID SIMs
As long as we're sitting about twiddling our thumbdrives waiting for one of those ubiquitous, near-field cellphone payment systems used by some more advanced societies for years, we might as well check out the options right? Enter MobiWallet from Jton Systems which combines SIM cards and a refillable, RFID debit payment system to make quick work of public transport and double-half-caff transactions. Start by defining a minimum balance and refill amount. The phone then ensures that you never leave home without by comparing the RFID balance with your minimum threshold and automatically negotiating a refill with the MobiWallet server when necessary. Great, now we just need a provider to go ahead and replace existing SIMs with RFID integrated cards and we're all set -- riiight. Combine with the RFID blocking wallet and voila, an infinite loop with seating for one.
