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Apple aims at patenting in-OS advertising

updated 10:15 am EDT, Thu October 22, 2009

Ad-supported Mac OS a possibility?

Apple has been exploring the possibility of embedding advertising within Mac OS X, or other platforms, a newly-published patent application reveals. Originally submitted in April of last year, the application credits CEO Steve Jobs and several other people with the invention. If implemented OS users would be presented with one or more ads, which would temporarily disable some aspect of the software before allowing people to continue on.

The ads would generally take the form of pop-up windows, appearing at predefined times, such as once an hour. Tracking data would then be collected, such as when an ad was displayed, and what response a user took. Images supplied with the application suggest options such as rating, sharing or repeating ads; OS users might also be able to temporarily delay ads, to avoid interrupting some tasks.

The purpose of burdening users with ads would be to offer an OS for free, or at least at a discount. In the latter case, users could pay to extend their time with software, or to disable ads completely. Control of ads in Mac OS X could be handled through a Menu Bar item, which might also display the amount of time remaining before the next ad appears.





 
Previous Comments

hahaha

10/22, 10:24am reply

Install Little Snitch. No more ads if the OS can't communicate with the server!

climacs

Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Sep 2001

+3

Oh c'mon

10/22, 10:25am reply

Windows 7 just started to look more attractive.

Mr. Strat

Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Jan 2002

+1

Unwelcome Intrusion!!!!

10/22, 10:31am reply

I hope this is a trial balloon because anything that keeps me from doing what I want to do after I turn on my computer is definitely NOT welcome... advertising??? Seriously? What ex-MSer thought that one up?

whambar

Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Mar 2009

+7

This is quite possibly the worst idea ever

10/22, 10:39am reply

Seriously, how long will it be before it's hacked out of the OS or blocked. Of course they will try to tie it to something that you want for free and thats how they'll justify your ad compliance.

**BLOOP** you just won a free iPod!

sigh...

kinglou

Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Sep 2002

+12

try to read and understand...

10/22, 10:45am reply

It would be wise of you guys if you at least would try to understand the concept, before you whine and lament publicly. Look at the flow chart. This is about running a system in a unpaid mode showing adds. The user can buy the system and get a add free version.

it seems to me you are just here to vent your uneducated anger...

nowayoutofmymind

Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Jun 2007

+10

comment title

10/22, 11:02am reply

Perhaps ist is targeted for kiosk Macs. Who knows.

stefbystef

Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Oct 2001

+4

Google and Microsoft are doing this as well

10/22, 11:05am reply

Not a big surprise here. Google is the king of ads and will incorporate it in all of their products including Android. Microsoft is doing it with a free version of Office and deals with Yahoo. It makes sense for Apple to do the same. Who knows maybe there will be a free or low cost version of OS X for the PC that is ad based and the user can pay to remove the ads. Yes, OS X can be hacked but fixed with every little update Apple puts out weekly or some other daily triggers.

ionlyuseosx

Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Jan 2002

+7

its a patent

10/22, 11:13am reply

They patent stuff all of the time and probably only use a portion of the ideas. Seriously.. get over it.

eldarkus

Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Feb 2004

+1

ohdeargodno.

10/22, 11:15am reply

please.
seriously.

jpellino

Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Oct 1999

0

ohdeargodno.

10/22, 11:22am reply

please.
seriously.

jpellino

Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Oct 1999

-3

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