Apple’s carrier ranking patent application hints at global iPhone

Apple could be hard at work creating the only phone to rule all of them (around the globe), if this latest patent application is any indication. The filing, first submitted in April of last year, describes a software-based approach to determining carrier rankings, allowing owners to flick thru a database of network-specific features, equivalent to voice and knowledge, to come to a decision their best fit and sign-up for service. Ideally, this future iPhone set-up would come courtesy of a really global phone, packing all of the necessary radios and software to surf along the globe’s wireless frequencies sans extra SIM cards. Rumors of an open handset were circling Cupertino for a little, much to the dismay of operators who fear the move would diminish their function because the industry’s gatekeeper, shifting power to consumers. Certainly, Jobs and co. have a high hurdle to conquer if this purported world phone is to ever become a reality. Meanwhile, why not only snag an unlocked device?

[Thanks, Neil]

Source

This post is tagged: carrier rankings, consumers, cupertino, gatekeeper, global phone, patent application, wireless frequencies