Apple was recently granted a patent that shows an interesting new application that looks eerily similar to the iPhone’s SMS feature. There are some big differences that set it apart, though. It includes new methods for interacting with ongoing conversations, including a word predictor. This could be the eagerly-hoped-for native instant messenger app.

Apple first applied for this patent back in August 2007. It was just last month, however, that the U.S. Patent Office got around to giving it the good old stamp of approval. The patent describes a new instant messaging interface for touchscreen devices (you know, like the iPhone or iPod Touch) that lets you manipulate chat conversations in real time by editing old chats. It also lets you embed video and images, something the iPhone doesn’t let you do. It’s unclear whether this is just a revised SMS application that now supports MMS capabilities, or is a full-fledged new IM application.

Full Story Via InformationWeek

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