Future Apple devices may have an “advertisement user interface,” according to a newly granted Apple patent. But it involves more than just ads; the tech giant wants the users of its various devices to be better able to navigate the ever-growing number of streaming services.
About the patent
The patent elates to multimedia systems, and more particularly, to delivery of media content. In the patent, Apple notes that for many years, broadcast television was the sole provider of video content to viewer’s homes across the globe.
As time has passed, and particularly with the advent of the Internet, numerous other sources of video content have arisen. In addition to broadcast television, cable television and satellite based television providers have begun providing access to video on demand and other audio and video content.
In addition, special purpose set-top boxes, such as that provided by Roku, provided a gateway for viewer’s to access other sources of video content not provided by their television service provider. With such boxes, viewers were able to connect to these other content providers in order to obtain desired video content.
At present, there are countless video providers in the marketplace. In addition, music and other audio content is available through various communication channels. Many are subscription based services, and some provide free content. While the explosion of video content providers in the marketplace may seem a boon for viewer’s, the large number of choices and providers complicates the viewing experience, according to Apple. The tech giant’s patent involves improved media content delivery systems, methods and mechanisms are desired.
Summary of the patent
Here’s Apple’s abstract of the patent: “Systems and methods for a media content system. A media content provider includes storage for storing and serving video content to subscribers. The media content provider records and or otherwise stores video content from around the world. Subscribers are provided a user interface that provides context sensitive hints to assist the viewer. The system further enables viewers skip, view, and interact with advertisements.”
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