AppleInsider recently found an Apple patent filing that has been published by the USPTO that looks like a new task manager. The filing points at an application that is a lot more advanced than the current Reminders app that is part of iOS and Mac’s offering.
The smart to-do list will utilize natural language processing so that the user can easily input data. It will also look at contextual information available on the device in order to fill in details when a user enters text. Apple’s smart task manager has some hint of Google Now because of its ability to try and get information from the device. However, Apple is looking to change the to-do list from just a mere text document into something that will be a lot more powerful.
The reason for Apple’s recent patent is quite simple. In most cases people create to-do list or task list based on quick notes. They write out messages and assume they will remember the details like phone numbers, names or emails. However, most of the times they do not and end up wasting time looking up the details. What Apple’s application does is search the device for “recently read and opened emails, recent voice messages or calls, text messages and more” to fill in the blanks about a note.
This information can be used to determine a number of things relating to the task like who it’s about or their contact information. The task scheduler can also then suggest the best times to make a phone call or even give details on flights if the task is about attending a meeting in another city. Another interesting characteristic of the smart to-do list is its ability to trigger a task based on location or time.
Apple’s patent makes sure that the functionality encompasses both typed and spoken entries. The idea sounds similar to Fantastical and its calendar management system. However, Apple can install its program at the system-level making it a lot better at getting information from the device.
Apple may be looking to change the iPhone into a “comprehensive personal digital assistant” as opposed to just a phone. They may also be trying to catch up to Google Now which is already trying to add the many features that the Apple patent talks about.
Source: TechCrunch
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