Apple has filed a patent called Swipe Gestures for Touch Screen Keyboards. According to the document, the new system would allow for simple finger gestures like swipes to the left or right to control basic functions of text editing.

Solar-powered iPods could be next Apple's future.

Microsoft has filed a patent application for a mobile device with a slide-out keyboard, flip-up screen, and a numeric keypad.

A new patent application from Nikon reveals plans for new viewfinder technology involving a small display screen that can be viewed within the optical viewfinder, GIZMODO reports. The photographer could switch between the optical image and digital display .

Gossips have uncovered a new Samsung patent application for a media mobile phone with a self-cradling function.

The design shows an angled hinge in the middle of the candy-bar style phone which allows it to rotate and provide an angled display on top and an input pad on the bottom for some type of multimedia and/or gaming functionality.

Gossips speculate Microsoft could enter the mobile dating industry after this new patent was revealed.

The patent, called Image-Based Face Search details how Microsoft could be developing complex facial recognition software. The patent explains how a photo could be uploaded from a mobile phone or PC and compared with millions of other pictures to find similar matching faces.

Samsung has filed a new patent application, that calls for interchangeable keypads . Users would be able to switch between QWERTY and the standard alphanumeric keypads. The keypads would be engraved on the battery panel, so each time you swap the keypad style, the batteries are changed as well.

Microsoft patent shows off new user interface for mobiles

The documentation spills details for improving the way mobile users interact with the data on their devices . Apparently, the app concentrates on arranging information in "groups or lists," each of which can "include multiple items that provide access to data or tasks from multiple applications."

Apple Patent for Pressure-Sensitive Touchscreens

Apple has filed a Patent for Pressure-Sensitive Touchscreens.

The patent for a "Force Imaging Input and Device System," is like a spring device underneath the touchscreen or touchpad. The pressure-sensitive "force detector" layer would create a separate set of data, or image, that could add another dimension to interacting with Apple's phones, media players, laptops and displays.

iPhone Nano is real

There has been alot of talk about the iPhone Nano, one days it is real... the next it is all a dream. Wired View has uncovered the iPhone Nano patent, whether it comes to is another story.

In the patent application, filed on January 04, 2007 (just a couple of weeks before the official launch of first iPhone) Apple talks about a cheap and simple device. And clearly states that it is about a new cellphone in the patent application name - “Telephone interface for a Portable Communication Device”.

new slider concept from BenQ Siemens (SL98), Asus and LG

patent filings uncovered by Wiredview reveals plans for new concepts slider phones from .BenQ Siemens (SL98), Asus and LG.

One of the concepts show a slider that features a phone that will have a sliding screen instead of keyboard. One of the first phones to use this design was BenqQ Siemens SL98.

Apple patent for charger DRM

NewScientist reports that Apple has filed a patent on a new security measure for mobile devices. The device locks a mobile device to a particular charging cable.

Critics have already dubbed the move the 'DRM of charging'. Apple says it just wants to 'guard against unauthorized use of a device'.

Apple patents: iPod karaoke, iPod remote

Apple has filed two new patents - iPod karaoke and iPod remote

iPod karaoke is a "Dynamic lyrics display for portable media devices,". Patent # 2 details plans for using your iPod or other "portable media player" as a wireless remote for your PC or media center

Apple has filed a patent for next generation iPod and iPhone portable media devices that use wireless technology to receive automated software updates and interact with other iPods and iPhones located within the same general vicinity, a recent patent request has revealed.

iPhone Nano Patent

Gossips believe this new Apple patent points to plans for a cheaper iPhone based on the iPod nano.

Apple filed for a patent on a "Touch pad with symbols based mode."The description states a "simple touchpad that can display different symbols for different modes of the device and the ways to operate such a device. These different symbols are illuminated as different modes of the device are selected and are used to operate iPhone Nano in that mode."

Samsung Plans Cell Phone with a USB Antenna?

Samsung has filed for a patent for a new USB charging mechanism for their phones.

The antenna is also a USB port in the Samsung patent.

Xbox 3 revealed in Microsoft Patent?

Tech gossips speculate on the Xbox 3 after viewing a patent filed by Software giant , Microsoft. The patent shows a "console" (presumably a next-gen XBox) being the central hub of the network, communicating with handheld devices.

A gaming system including handheld devices and console devices has variable functionality and processing performance as determined by the number of components in the system. Gaming components can be combined wirelessly, by wired connections (e.g., via a docking station), or a combination thereof. The processing capabilities and functionality of each gaming component in a combination are augmented by the processing capabilities and functionality of other gaming components in the combination. To take advantage of another gaming components processing capabilities and memory capacity, each gaming component is capable of utilizing another gaming component to process gaming applications. Further, each gaming component is capable of rendering audio and/or video information provided by another gaming component. Also, a gaming component is capable of utilizing another gaming component as an adjunct processor.

A Microsoft patent application -- filed June 16th of last year has revealed plans for an "improved user interface for mobile devices such as smartphones" and "personal digital assistants."

Sony Ericsson patented a design for a rotating screen enclosed in a frame, allowing the display to pivot and move through 180 degrees similar to how Velux windows work (bar the extra supports).

Sony Patents New Phone Form Factor

Hard drive manufacturer Seagate says Nanotubes that leak a vapour of lubricant could provide a tenfold increase in hard drive capacity.

Seagate, is patenting the idea after research funded by the US National Institute of Standards and Technology.

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A patent has surfaced on the FCC website that both illustrates and details Apple's iPod in terminology such as "an enhanced iPod" and/or "an improved iPod." A large portion of this patent places emphasis on "live" video streaming - and more specifically, video conferencing conducted on the "improved iPod." In fact, the patent presents details of a new codec for QuickTime.

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