New iPhone spotted in Apple patent? Location-sharing mooted

Apple�s almost certainly hard at work on the fourth generation iPhone and a pair of new patents seem to hint at what we can expect from the new iPhone. That�s a front-facing camera and Google Latitude-like location features for a start�

Apple denied Google Latitude a place in the iTunes App Store last year, leaving it to live on as a web app for the iPhone. Now it seems its planning similar geo-location smarts for the new iPhone. Maybe that�s why Google didn�t get the green light.

If Apple puts the new patent into action, the new iPhone would allow you to send location data in a text message or via instant messenger. The recipient could then fire up the new iPhone�s Maps application to see your location relative to where they are.

Apple snaffled up its own mapping company in October last year, so it�s likely we�ll see a brand new Maps app as part of the new iPhone. Adding additional location features to use the new iPhone�s compass and GPS duo would certainly make sense.

The reference to instant messenger abilities is low-key but also pretty exciting, perhaps heralding a new iPhone with built in support for iChat, rather than having to rely on third-party instant messenger clients. And baking IM into the new iPhone would also suggest multi-tasking might be on the horizon.

The second Apple patent also suggests that the new iPhone will feature a front-facing camera. That�s something we�ve spotted previously, so the new patented just adds weight to the idea of a new iPhone with iChat and facial recognition abilities.

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