Apple Files Patent for Localized iTunes Stores
6:49 am, March 5th, 2009, Nicole Martinelli
A feature called “Now Playing,” launched in fall 2007, allowed latte-sippers to wander into a Starbucks, log onto the iTunes Store with a laptop, iPod Touch or iPhone and instantly see what song was playing in-store, plus browse and buy music on iTunes.
Unwired View found a patent Apple filed for a similar feature.
The basic idea: place a local cache of iTunes media store server at a retail location and follow the music played from that cache. The associated info is beamed to iPhones and Macbooks via local Wi-Fi network.
Apple envisions lots of in-store tie-ins and cross selling thanks to the feature.
From the patent application:
“One advantage of the invention is that patrons of establishments can dynamically receive store-based information while at the establishments. Store-based information facilitates user experience and can also facilitate locating associated media content from an online media store.
In store-based information can be displayed on a patron’s portable electronic device while the patron in the store… The online media store can coordinate with central management to make store-based information centrally stored and accessible…”
Via Unwired View
Posted by Nicole Martinelli in iPhone, iPod Touch, iTunes | Comment on this article
That’s a really cool concept, and I think it could be taken further with ease. Perhaps (in a mall or something) you could pick up a map of all the stores, or in a department store, you could get a map of the sections and you could watch yourself walk around. Or in a grocery store, you could see what aisles contain what products, etc.
brad, on March 5th, 2009 at 8:09 am
There is a problem with this though. I work from Starbucks all the time (Dallas, TX area). Not once has the “Now Playing” header worked in iTunes. Is this the same everywhere? Is anyone else able to see what’s playing now?
AppBeacon, on March 5th, 2009 at 2:07 pm