Apple Files Patent for Travel and Shopping Apps

Apple files for travel and shopping apps

A report released last Thursday by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office showed that Apple has filed three patent applications between October and December for travel and shopping apps, offering services like travel bookings, fashion retail, and hotel services.

The travel booking app will allow users to view flight information, reserve travel plans, and check in to flights. The app would need to link with an airline’s system to complete the service. It would also provide information about restaurants and information about possible travel locations that the subscriber is interested in.

Likewise, the hotel services app would need to connect to a hotel’s computer system for it to work seamlessly. The user can request hotel services before arrival, check in and check out, and order room service, or buy pay-per-view events. It also seems to offer a concierge service, reserving restaurant seats or buying tickets, making the real concierge service redundant.

The last app is related to shopping, and would get information about promos, discounts, and exclusive high-end fashion events. It would allow the user to shop and buy clothes and review fashion stores. Based on a user’s profile and preferences, it can also provide shopping recommendations.

While patent applications are noteworthy signs of future offerings from tech manufacturers, a lot of companies also file patents all the time to stay ahead of the competition. Patents may be stuck in research limbo and actual production and market roll-out may be many years away.

Posted by Sophia Andrews on Monday August 02 2010, 10:57 AM EST. All trademarks acknowledged. Filed under Featured News, Travel. Comments and Trackbacks closed. Follow responses: RSS 2.0