Apple has recently patented what it appears to be an ad-supported operating system. Invented by the likes of Steven P. Jobs and other tech-savvy people, the patent is undoubtedly a way for Apple to secure its ideas for whatever the future might hold. An ad-supported OS would most likely be met with criticism today.

“The advertisement can be visual or audible,” the patent application reveals. “The presentation of the advertisement(s) can be made as part of an approach where the user obtains a good or service, such as the operating system, for free or at reduced cost.”

Apple explains that, “There are several reasons why a user might consider obtaining an operating system for the device, whether it be the first operating system ever installed on the device or a replacement for an existing operating system. The choice among several operating systems necessarily takes into account device compatibility, but can also be based on other factors, such as the functions they offer, their usability and reliability, and also the cost of obtaining and maintaining the operating system.”

Actually, the last account is likely the only aspect adding a shred of sense to the whole invention, as no one in their right mind would actually buy an operating system that freezes on you to play an ad, be it visual, or audible. A free OS, on the other hand, will see adopters, but only if Apple manages to provide a solid embodiment where the user actually has a high degree of control over the ad-supported OS. The following excerpt appears to suggest that an OS-specific function is disabled as the ad is played – perhaps not a crucial one.

“In a first aspect, a computer-implemented method for operating a device includes disabling a function of an operating system in a device. The method includes presenting an advertisement in the device while the function is disabled. The method includes enabling the function in response to the advertisement ending.”

Inventors credited are: Jobs; Steven; (Palo Alto, CA) ; Anzures; Freddy A.; (San Francisco, CA) ; Matas; Mike; (San Francisco, CA) ; Christie; Gregory N.; (San Jose, CA) ; Coffman; Patrick; (San Francisco, CA).