“Apple Inc.’s iPhone can already playback video, browse the Internet, and place phone calls, but a new filing by the handset maker suggests it may one day take your lunch order and serve as a tour guide at the local zoo,” Slash Lane reports for AppleInsider.
“The concept calls for a short-range wireless network comprised of a central server and one or more wireless routers, such as AirPort Extreme WiFi base stations, that merchants or attraction organizers could install within their venues. Included on the central server would be a proprietary software-based application (or ‘iPhone server’) capable of interfacing and serving up customized information and applications to Apple media devices devices that come within range of the network,” Lane reports.
“‘For example, assuming the establishment is a restaurant, local server may provide a menu to media device,’ the company said. ‘A user may choose contents in the menu for an order by interfacing with device 1020 and submit the order to local server when complete. Local server may then process that order upon receipt,'” Lane reports.
“In some cases, software on the server could interact with software on a user’s media device, such as an iPhone or iPod touch, to allow the menu to be customized for a that user. For example, the personal media device may have stored user preference profiles for desired foods. If it is known that user of device has a dietary restriction (such as diabetes) or prefers to eat vegan food (Steve Jobs), the menu could be customized such that only the food the user is permitted to eat or prefers to eat is provided on the menu,” Lane reports.
More in the full article here.