MacNN today reported that the U.S. Patent Office has published a patent application from Apple, describing a proximity-based social networking tool. The plan appears to be the ability for people in the same general area (as defined by the span of a WiFi network or Bluetooth connection) to spontaneously form groups and exchange information. The actual text of the patent describes a "trusted service" that tracks time and location info from wireless-enabled devices and invites users in close proximity to virtually connect. The images included were based on the iPhone or iPod touch. It also looks as if sharing your calendar, address book, email, and text messages with other members of a group is as easy as a touch of a button. Part of the description reads, "During private or public events (e.g., concert, tradeshows, business meetings, weddings, rallies), a typical individual may have many brief contacts with individuals for which they would like to have further correspondence post event." In other words, you can easily (and hopefully, only voluntarily) swap contact info and more with others in your general vicinity. So, who is this trusted service that keeps track of where you were, when you were there, and who you were with
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Is Apple Delving into Social Networking Territory?
