Could be used to push sales at home or retail

Apple has been contemplating a system by which iPhone, iPad, and iPod users could automatically get recommendations related to apps or accessories they own, notes AppleInsider. A newly-published US patent application from the company illustrates a concept in which people could connect an accessory to a device and get a list of apps compatible with it. In reverse, users could receive a list of accessories supported by installed apps. "With the number of available accessories growing at an exponential rate," Apple claims, "it is often difficult for a user to determine which accessory supports which software application and vice versa."

In an advanced version of the idea, a person could connect a device to a kiosk at a store, and receive not only a list of accessories but where to find them in the shop. Alternately a handheld could simply generate links to online stores where gear might be found.

Apple first filed for the patent in June 2010. Currently the combination of apps and accessories produces little feedback in iOS; users will for instance get an error message if an accessory isn't fully compatible. If an add-on requires a particular app, people are prompted to download it from the App Store.

by MacNN Staff