Apple Seeks Patent On Operating System Advertising

vansmith said:

Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against pay as you go. In fact, I think it's a great idea. I just don't think ad-supported iPhones are the way to go about offering it to people who want PAYG with an iPhone.

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Ditto on my end. I just feel DB could be right. I want no ads on my iPhone thank you!

If it is any consolation, this page states that what was exhibited in the patent application was ad support for OS X. If that is the case, then again I would be switching away from Macs faster than you could blink. I'm sure though that it would be optional - I find it hard to believe that you would have no choice when it came to whether or not you want ad-supported software/hardware.

Sorry. Did I read that article right? Ads? Everywhere when I'm trying to do freakin' homework? Uh what? No. I switched to Mac because Windows ticked me off. This would be a sore blow. No way am I ready to use Windows again, especially 7 (just had issues with drivers tonight on it..ugh).

I don't see this as an "Apple wants to throw Ads throughout their OS to interrupt your movie or game or keynote presentation". Apple already have enough ways to let us know "hey you're using an Apple product". You're staring at the famous apple when you use your computer, when you start it up when you use it etc. it's like the Nike tick. You do not need words, just the apple symbol is enough and people know ah Apple.

I think is targeted at others more than Apple itself. As in if others like the Google OS try to put ads through it's OS liek they have their ads all over the internet. And Apple could say if you want to advertise in your OS you have to pay a fee cause it's covered in Apple's Patent.

Secondly what if Microsoft of another company wants to advertise within OS X? Even a quick 2 second screen saying buy the latest version of Office for Mac is advertising. Apple could stop it from happening or ask for a percentage of their advertising revenues for that ad cause it's breaches Apples patent.

Thirdly I think this patent covers public computers like internet kiosks, schools/universities and others too. If they have a screen saver or a login screen or desktop background saying enroll in the next year's subjects or this library is the best in the state. That is all advertising in a way and Apple could share in a slice of that pie too. And make a few dollars there too.

So I do not see it for the most part as Apple wanting to ruin our esperience with Ads. They learnt with the imac and other products too I think that "if is aint broke and works well now don't fix it". I think it is Apple's way of stopping people advertising on their OS. And making sure the others have no legal grounds to object. And also for the people that do advertise Apple can say "hey that's our patent, stop or pay us".

[edit] I just had an after thought. Apple could use this to Advertise Apple products on Non-Apple operating systems. Like through Safari of itunes on Windoews etc.

I'm leaning toward the8thark's post, but if they did put interrupting ads throughout the OS, I would not drop the computer, I would just simply not update the software and lose respect for Apple. I would do research for days on the current SL software updates to check and make sure that there is no such advertising on that version, if it was put through that way. Don't know if that's how they would do it, but I'm just speaking hypothetically

Another little thought I've had:

To me the whole point of advertising is to get people to buy the product. And most people who use Macs own their own one. And advertising on OS X by Apple, is trying to sell a product to someone who already has that product. And since Apple sell their Mac and OS together as the same experience, people buy a Mac they own it all. It's not like they will go "hey I just bought a Mac last week, but I'll buy a 2nd one right away"

No. It's silly. I think this whole thing is aimed at stopping others advertising on OS X to make them reverse switch and advertising on Windows so people think about switching.

D3v1L80Y said:

You're probably right... but you can bet that Apple would be quick to follow that with a buzzkill for that.

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Wich (if trying to circumvent that) would also render you're OS illegal, wouldn't it?

the8thark said:

Thirdly I think this patent covers public computers like internet kiosks, schools/universities and others too. If they have a screen saver or a login screen or desktop background saying enroll in the next year's subjects or this library is the best in the state. That is all advertising in a way and Apple could share in a slice of that pie too. And make a few dollars there too.

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I can see that being a legitimate use for ad-support, especially for institutions on a strict budget (like schools). It spreads Mac awareness at a more attractive price for these groups.

I've heard that the ad-supported OS would be a free edition to allow more users to do the next upgrade... If not free, at least very cheap.

Who knows though.

An OS with pop up ads embedded in it, would be a deal breaker for me. Some things I just wouldn't be able to stomach. I can't imagine seeing a Viagra ad when I check my calendar or try to open my photo album. At that point, I'd have to start shopping for another OS.

This sounds similar to the movie Hardwired. >_>"