Apple files for patents on TV widgets, 'directional audio'

Two newly-published Apple patent applications point at high-level concepts the company is exploring. The first involves content-aware widgets for TVs. Whereas many modern TVs are implementing simple interactive widgets, Apple's idea would make the widgets reflect current programming. While watching Jaws, for example, widgets might not only allow access to news, stocks and social networking, but also the movie's special features, cast and crew information and an FAQ about real sharks. A viewer might also be able to interact with some shows, for instance by voting...

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