Apple patent to bring social networking to the iPhone?

Apple's new patent reveals a location-based social networking group for the iPhone

Apple has applied for a new patent that suggests it plans to create a new application for the iPhone called iGroups.

iGroups is a location-based social networking site made for the iPhone. It will enable groups of people to share data, and those without a GPS enabled phone, will be able to locate their position using the positions of others with a GPS enabled phone.

The patent is focused on the cryptographic key system that protects the data. The name, iGroups, is most likely just a placeholder for the time being.

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Apple has applied for a new patent that suggests it plans to create a new application for the iPhone called iGroups.

iGroups is a location-based social networking site made for the iPhone. It will enable groups of people to share data, and those without a GPS enabled phone, will be able to locate their position using the positions of others with a GPS enabled phone.

The patent is focused on the cryptographic key system that protects the data. The name, iGroups, is most likely just a placeholder for the time being.

Should Apple implement the technology, iPhone users will gain a social networking group between other iPhone users, although they will only be able to contact people that are close to their current location.

According to Engadget, the iGroups technology might be part of iPhone OS 4.0 may require a new iPhone, as the diagram attached tot he patent application shows other new iPhone features.