Apple patent hints at a user interface for its upcoming video streaming service

Apple has filed for a patent (number 20190020925) for a “channel bar user interface” that could involve the company’s upcoming streaming service. It involves a media content provider that 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 to the system that includes a channel bar. The channel bar is dynamically scoped responsive to interactions of a viewer with the system. Selectable elements within the channel bar provide direct access to related content regarding video content, such as television series information and cast information. 

In addition, the channel bar is operable in multiple modes. An EPG mode displays live video for multiple channels simultaneously. Themed modes permit channel bars that display content according to various themes which may be defined by a viewer, the provider, or both.

Of course, Apple files for — and is granted — lots of patents by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office. Many are for inventions that never see the light of day. However, you never can tell which ones will materialize in a real product.