Google's notification bar patent signals a change of course.

Google’s notification bar patent could spell trouble for Apple | Android and Me

Google’s 2009 Patent for Notification Pull Down Bar Still Pending | TalkAndroid.com

		When Apple introduced their “new” and “innovative” Notifications Center in iOS 5, Android users everywhere were scratching their heads. Android had already featured the notification bar, and Apple had clearly put their own spin on an already existing idea. Everyone was wondering why Google didn’t have a patent on this great idea, and as it turns out, they do. Apparently, patents take a long time, since US 2009/0249247 was filed in January 2009 and is still pending. We can all rest[..]ured that Google was watching its back. Since Google doesn’t own the patent to the notification bar yet, they can’t do anything but sit back and watch Apple use it in all of their most popular devices. Even the latest version of the Mac’s operating system, OS X 10.8, uses Notification Center. If Google’s patent application for Android’s notification bar is approved, there’s little to reason to believe it wouldn’t be an easy victory for Google, should they decide to take Apple to court over it. It will be interesting to see what Google does with the patent should they manage to secure it. Will they immediately take Apple to court, or would using it as leverage in other patent negotiations make more sense? This will definitely be worth keeping an eye on.

This is very interesting. I, and just about the entire industry thought that Google didn't file patents for many of Androids unique functions and UI elements. Everyone thought that since they were beating the "Open platform" drum, that any and everyone else could take their ideas and use them without having to fear litigation. But this reveal tells us that Google has been filing for patents silently going back as far as the freaking N1.

This explains a bit of their confidence when it sort of looked like Apple may have had a leg up on them. When the patents they filed for way back when start getting approved, there's gonna be a problem.... seriously. This patent right here is CLEARLY infringed on. There's a lot of stuff I can think of. I wonder about widgets, which IMO are a clear cut part of the future for smartphone user interfaces. A grid of icons isn't going to last forever, even desktop operating systems are moving away from that.

[smiley]

Thats my Notification bar

good !!

uh oh....apple bout to get it

Google for the victory

Apple should of just left that patent !! alone.

google is just layin in the cut, letting apple build a case against themselves

!!ing

apple bout to get a rude awakening

karma

damn i thought google didnt patent that...thank god i was like wtf apple stole that !! from android. having apple fan boys n girls feeling like they have some new feature

I don't really see the point in being able to patent something as basic as this. This patent battles seem to be bad for consumers.

yeah everyone got there iphone update talking !! like i haven't had a notification bar for years..... there like but it shows stocks ... im like oh, so you trade now lol

Apple patented "slide to unlock" and sued Google



Apple's about to feel the heat.

you're absolutely right it's bad for consumers but most people are too stupid to realize it, thinking it doesnt affect them

Sure did,!!y jackasses over there started getting big headed and wanted to play the suing game and now bout to get they[..] chewed up.

Oh, but I thought patent trolling was wrong?

if apple was granted this patent what do you think would happen

apple somehow has the patent to clicking a link and it opening a corresponding app or weblink....how ridiculous are they? welcome to the new world of bs..