Patently Apple is reporting that Apple has created a new peer-to-peer (P2P) technology which will, apparently, revolutionise the way we share data. The new technology works by utilising a "unique magnetic compass and encoded supersonic tone methodology" which Apple claims will "allow you to share information on your iPhone easily with other devices like your iMac, MacBook or stereo system."
One of the current issues when pairing two devices is that different products use one of many methods to partner with each other. This is where Apple comes in with one of most impressive parts of this new technology, according to the article the way two devices will be able to find each other, pair up and then proceed to share data is by using a "compass output" on the device.
As soon as two devices come close enough to each other a "magnetic field signature" is calculated based on the "monitored compass output" after which a decision is made as to whether the signature could be associated with a previously defined device. This means that as soon as two devices come close enough to each other, the compasses will work out if the products should try and initiate a partnership and whether or not to start the networking connection tool.
This would certainly make it easier for everyday users meaning it would be possible to walk up to a compatible printer, scanner, router, external hard drive - anything - and connect automatically with no further information or action required.
Comments (39)
ReplySounds like they took Bluetooth and made it only work with proprietary apple hardware. Yay.
Yeah. Why not using Bluetooth which is 100% compatible between all devices and does not have any licensing fees. Oh Wait....
Yeah. Why not using Bluetooth which is 100% compatible between all devices and does not have any licensing fees. Oh Wait....
Apple already uses bluetooth for its keyboard/mouse/magic trackpads. This isn't even in any hardware yet and your bashing it, you have no idea what it does or how they would be implementing it except from a patent application which doesn't give much away...
Yeah, I really don't understand why more things don't use Blutooth honestly. It would make life easier.
no it's Ultrasound derp
"encoded supersonic tone methodology"
If this becomes a standard, I like. If it's restricted to Apple hardware, Nah.
Which it of course would be... :-\
Once again, apple fan boys have another iStuff to cheer about and may be waste money on..
+1
"One of the current issues when pairing two devices is that different products use one of many methods to partner with each other."
Ever heard of Bluetooth which is in almost all phones, except for maybe 20$ ones?! And soon we'll have Wi-Fi Direct.
Ever heard of Bluetooth which is in almost all phones, except for maybe 20$ ones?! And soon we'll have Wi-Fi Direct.
From my experience, bluetooth pairing isn't very reliable.
So lets add another new method.
So rather than trying to fix a problem they re-invent the wheel with an entirely new technology that very few people will adopt?
So rather than trying to fix a problem they re-invent the wheel with an entirely new technology that very few people will adopt?
Yeah, I agree. Bluetooth pairing does have issues, but why not just fix those? This seems silly.
This sounds more like an innovation than invention!
The only different thing is 'pair up and then proceed to share data is by using a "compass output" on the device.', Everything else sounds just like Bluetooth.
Neverending loop of progress.
Chances of every single file being received with a signature tagged on the end reading, "sent by iP2P from my iPad/iPhone/iEtc".... v.high.
WTF is this? Where are the flying applications from the drawing? And what about the cloud?! There is a Blackberry on the picture!. I think something went seriously wrong with this press release.
This will be never a real product because it's extending the communication between devices in the way that people will never use.
Holding the device in the right position and direction for simple file transfer. In 2011 WHAT?!
That technology will be never wanted.
WiFi is much better.
So you have to point to something before sharing? Seems like infrared.
What a revolution from Apple we have here ...
This will be never a real product because it's extending the communication between devices in the way that people will never use.
Holding the device in the right position and direction for simple file transfer. In 2011 WHAT?!
That technology will be never wanted.
WiFi is much better.
You do realise that this isn't a press release - or are you one of *THOSE* people who are too lazy and don't read the article?
Holding the device in the right position and direction for simple file transfer.
Holding things in the "right position" seems to be an iFeature
This will be never a real product because it's extending the communication between devices in the way that people will never use.
Holding the device in the right position and direction for simple file transfer. In 2011 WHAT?!
That technology will be never wanted.
WiFi is much better.
I have a banking application on my iPhone that transfers money from my bank account to another user's bank account just by shaking his and mine iPhones one against the other.
Its nice to MAKE new stuff like this, advancement is good however if it falls into the hands of apple it immediately becomes stuffed into propriety handsets and is only allowed to communicate with other propriety devices.
Then people say how great apple is because it works with other crapple products and how no one else can do this. the reason no one else does it is because some big b***** steve jobs says no.
So, yes i like the IDEA and wholeheartedly support new inventions however only if they can be allowed come standard or cross platform. Maybe the rest of the world should make propriety 5G on the older GSM networks, for everything except apple.
lol at all the fandroid comments complaining about "proprietary" tech, you guys are transparent. The marketplace says you guys are wrong, but keep preaching.
I just did a quick search for posts containing "proprietary" above yours...and it seems i'm the only one...so i'm a "fandroid"? I don't even an own an android phone and currently using an iphone 3gs since version 2
nice try though.
ummm... Bluetooth (communication) + NFC ( near each other) = Auto pairing when the devices are near each other. Apple has just taken the 2 AVAILABLE technologies and added an 'i' to it. As in I created it so no one else can use it.
I would expect 100's of patent claims a few years down, when say Samsung realizes that NFC can be used in a similar scenario.
I would expect 100's of patent claims a few years down, when say Samsung realizes that NFC can be used in a similar scenario.
Neither of those 2 technologies use a compass. A patent is for the implementation, and this involves a compass...so it's different.
Slightly improve something = "Innovation, Revolution & Magic"
This had better not just work with iDevices, if they're trying to push another "open standard" like FaceTime.
'This changes everything'
Apple RE-invents new peer-to-peer technology
Seriously, if they make it a cross platform standard..this will be well appreciated by WP7 and Android fanboys too
Bluetooth
RFID/NFC
No reason to reinvent the wheel yet again other than for their own greed.
RFID/NFC
No reason to reinvent the wheel yet again other than for their own greed.
+1
No reason to reinvet smartphones / tablets / music players...with touchscreen either.
Sounds like the HP/Palm WebOS tap to share feature that's suppose to be in the Pre 3/Veer and Touchpad.
Well, this came kinda late. April Fool's Day was 21 days ago.
Curious, i want to see this in action.
Its just INNOVATIVE infrared