Apple iPhone - “i” this up!

A new patent issued by Apple could bring a fresh alternative to GPS and satellite navigation through the use of “Podmaps”. This would incorporate the idea of maps and podcasts in one and does not require you to be connected to a mobile phone network or Wi-Fi in order to work.

The software driven concept would allow the Podmap user to request directions from a starting location, and the results would be returned in the form of a podcast media file which would include visual maps and step by step driving instructions.

The question is would Apple incorporate this into one of their existing products? Applying GPS into an existing device like the iPhone or iPod would make perfect sense. Many speculate that the iPhone 2 will have a GPS chip and a third generation connection. Perhaps when the iPhone 2 is released, we will see a GPS system? Maybe Podmap will be added to a new product line?

While Apple has not made any official announcement about the physical production of such software, the patent filing could be a vision of what is to come for Apple Inc.