Apple has filed a patent with the USPTO for a universal instant messaging application interface for the iPhone and other touch screen devices.
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The chat interface is similar to the existing SMS interface that graces the current iPhone, using the bubble icons similar to the desktop version of iChat. Users would have the ability to view past chat history and remove individual conversations.
In the image above, you'll notice the image on the left closely resembles SMS on the iPhone. On the contrary, the image on the right does not have a text box, as the typed content is transmitted automatically as you'd expect from an IM application. The application does mention SMS, but there are serveral references to "IM" and "Instant Messaging". The patent application provides background on Instant Messaging saying, "Portable device-based Instant Messaging (IM) services are becoming increasingly popular. But most IM services on portable electronic devices have a rudimentary user interface. It is cumbersome to create instant messages on such devices. A user often needs to press a telephone keypad repeatedly to choose a character. It is also difficult to find and view previous instant messages. For example, it is inconvenient or even impossible for the user to view a series of previous messages with a particular user while composing a new message for that user. Accordingly, there is a need for portable multifunction devices with more transparent and intuitive user interfaces for instant messaging that are easy to use, configure, and/or adapt."
This upcoming application aims to provide end users with a GUI (graphical user interface) that "reduces or eliminates definiencies"found in the existing IM experience. iChat continues to be one of the most requested applications from iPhone owners. It's unknown at this point if Apple will use the release of iPhone firmware version 2.0 to introduce a native application for instant messaging on the iPhone. iPhone firmware version 2.0 is expected to be released in June during the World Wide Developer's Conference.
Source: AppleInsider
