What is Apple doing with mobile app patents?

You may see some scary headlines out there saying Apple is trying to patent the idea of mobile apps but the company is merely trying to patent a few key programs which could compete with developers in the App Store.

According to patents unveiled by Unwired View, the iPhone maker is seeking patents on ideas relating to traveling apps, hotel apps and fashion events. These were unveiled recently by the U.S. Patent office but had been applied for late last year.

The travel app patent seems to focus on booking and checking in to flights. This appears to integrate with the airlines’ back-end systems and it also provides entertainment and restaurant options around the new destination. Having this type of app preloaded on an Apple iPhone could eliminate the need for a standalone airline app and it could even dent Yelp’s mobile share.

The hotel app patent could make it easier for users to book rooms directly from the Apple iPhone. This also integrates with hotel back-ends and it potentially enables users to check in remotely, order room service and more.

The high-end fashion app patent could let Apple iPhone users get special recommendations and promotions about new stylish products sent directly to the phone.

None of these patents mean Apple is definitely going to release these products or integrate it into the iPhone but it’s a clear indicator about the company’s intentions. It makes a lot of sense too, as the success of the App Store has been a major boon for the iPhone but Apple prefers to control the experience directly as much as possible.

Apple has already purchased Siri, a voice-controlled personal assistant app, so I think we can expect stronger voice integration from future Apple iPhone devices. It also purchased a mapping company which could soon let it also control the mapping and navigation aspects of its iOS devices.

[Via Unwired View, US Patent office]