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Sent to you by Bill B via Google Reader: Apple Plans Video Calling and
Location Aware Social Networking For iPhone [Patents] via Gizmodo by
Brian Barrett on 2/5/10

Apple's sweeping "Device to Device Location Awareness" patent covers a
lot of ground, not the least of which are a hint at iPhone video
conferencing and the ability to locate whoever's on the receiving end
of your call.

According to the technology proposed in the patent, a caller's phone
would ping the mobile device it's communicating with to request
location details. The second device determines its location and sends
the information back to the originating cellphone, where it's
automatically displayed on the screen. It appears to be an opt-in
service, so all you Sneaky Petes won't have to share your location if
you don't want to.

One intriguing section of the patent also suggests a video conferencing
future for the iPhone:

"Note that the reference to 'voice call' here is not limited to a
conventional, sound-only conversation. It may also include video of the
two users, synchronized with their audio."

It may indeed! And while the patent was only made public today, it was
originally filed way back in the fall of 2008.

A full breakdown of the dirty details can be found at Patently Apple.
In the meantime, all you video call-loving stalkers should be
salivating right now. [USPTO via Patently Apple]

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