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Businesses Iphone Apple Technology

Apple Is Trying To Trademark 'Slofie' (theverge.com) 43

On Friday, Apple applied for a U.S. Trademark on "Slofie," a made-up name for slow-motion selfies, a feature that's new to the iPhone 11 models. "The phones' front camera can now record video at 120 frames per second, which when slowed down, results in a crisp slow-motion effect," writes Jacob Kastrenakes for The Verge. "The results are neat, though I'm not convinced they'll turn into the Animoji-like phenomenon Apple may be hoping for." From the report: Apple is applying for a trademark on slofies in connection with "downloadable computer software for use in capturing and recording video." That means this trademark seems to be more about preventing other companies from making slofie-branded camera apps than it is about limiting popular usage of this totally made-up word. Apple has reason to want to prevent the creation of knock-off slofie apps, too, since slofies are meant to be exclusive to the new iPhones.

Despite the focus on apps, Apple doesn't actually offer a slofie app or a slofie mode on the new iPhones. The feature is just called "slo-mo" in Apple's camera app, and the company's current usage of slofie refers exclusively to the resulting videos, not the app or mode used to capture them. Apple seems to be hoping slofies will be a fun selling point for its new phones. The feature is mentioned across Apple's website, and Apple presented a slofie ad during the phones' launch event. It wouldn't be surprising to see a lot more airing in the coming weeks once the phones are out.

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Apple Is Trying To Trademark 'Slofie'

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  • by Tablizer ( 95088 ) on Wednesday September 18, 2019 @07:07PM (#59210996) Journal

    For Pete Sake, Tim Apple, stop screwing with names!

  • by locater16 ( 2326718 ) on Wednesday September 18, 2019 @07:13PM (#59211010)
    I mean, it's just caught on so much. It's like a virus, everyone from 10 year old kids to geriatric dementia sufferers just can't stop using the word "slowfie". Better lock up that hyper valuable IP before it's too late Apple, or Huawei will do it first and then China will be ahead in the cool and popular word war!
    • I mean, it's just caught on so much.

      I know you are trying to be sarcastic, but what you don't realize is how much this has already spread. I've seen it pop up in some random you-tube videos already.

      And that's before the actual slofies start to arrive across the interwebs...

      It's actually a kind of catchy term, that at first sounds ridiculous but after a little but of processing you can see people go. OK, yeah, that's a thing.

      • what you don't realize is how much this has already spread

        Much like Zune. Snicker. Would you like some squirt with that?

      • It's actually a kind of catchy term, that at first sounds ridiculous but after a little but of processing you can see people go.

        Uh, fuck no. It's not a catchy term, it sounds stupid (like the people who use the term), and I will automatically think less of anyone I hear using the term. It'll result in an instant downward-reappraisal by me of their IQ and overall cognitive abilities.

      • I think I should run out and trade mark "Cellfie" (mug shots) and "Shelfie"(when you don't have a tripod and your photo includes a little bit of the shelf you set the camera on)... I'll be a millionaire any day now!

    • Apple is just trying to measure up to Zune.

      You know what they say? Tim may be able to wear the turtleneck, but the shoes are way too big for him.

    • by AmiMoJo ( 196126 )

      Pretty sure other phones have had slow motion selfies for a while now. It's literally just the name, and trademarking it is a sure-fire way to make sure it doesn't catch on.

      After all, if it did catch on it would invalidate their trademark, like "hoover" or "xerox" have become generic terms.

  • by rsilvergun ( 571051 ) on Wednesday September 18, 2019 @07:17PM (#59211022)
    you can have this one. It's all yours. I don't even care if you made it up. I just want you to lock it up and make sure it never gets heard from again.
    • .. and, yes, they really can have it. Nobody cares, and nor should they. I mean, that's the entire point of trademarks. The OP writer seems a little startled by this:
      "That means this trademark seems to be more about preventing other companies from making slofie-branded camera apps than it is about limiting popular usage of this totally made-up word."
      .
      which is exactly analogous to Coca-Cola not wanting other companies to sell different drinks labelled 'Coca-Cola' but 'not limiting popular usage' of the total

  • If Apple is successful, here are some alternatives for other vendors:

    Snailfie, gradualfie, leisurelyfie, dawdlefie, lackadaisifie, sluggishfie, plodfie, drowsfie, laggardfie, listlessfie, tardifie, turtlefie, downerfie, fillupyourdrivefie, and comcastfie.

    • If Apple is successful, here are some alternatives for other vendors:

      Snailfie, gradualfie, leisurelyfie, dawdlefie, lackadaisifie, sluggishfie, plodfie, drowsfie, laggardfie, listlessfie, tardifie, turtlefie, downerfie, fillupyourdrivefie, and comcastfie.

      I guess Pornhub already has it's eyes on Quickie?

    • by rtb61 ( 674572 )

      'SHEEPFIE', it is ohh so deliciously appropriate.

    • Snailfie, gradualfie, leisurelyfie, dawdlefie, lackadaisifie, sluggishfie, plodfie, drowsfie, laggardfie, listlessfie, tardifie, turtlefie, downerfie, fillupyourdrivefie, and comcastfie.

      I like "laggardfie" and "plodfie", and I also propose "stupidfie" and "narcissistfie".

    • And perhaps most appropriately of all (yet verboten for PC reasons), retardfie.

  • Blowmie yet? Or is it too close to the apple trademark?

  • Let 'em trademark it.

    How long will it take for other clever people to come up with something that's even cuter than slofie?

    Slapsie? Giffie? Smovie? Milfie?

    Uh, never mind.

  • I can think of lots of interesting things to do with slow-motion photography... and Apple chooses to market it as the latest selfie fad.

    At least they have accurately assessed the wants, needs, and shallowness of their target market. But, I don't think it will last even as long as Vine, as far as selfie fads go. In a couple of years I'll be able to get 120 fps on a $100 phone, so I might play around with it then. It's just not worth a mortgage payment to me.

    • Slomo videos (it's not really photography, is it?) on main camera have been a thing for 2-3 phone generations now. It's just "new" on the front "selfie" cam
    • I can think of lots of interesting things to do with slow-motion pornography...

      This is what I read at first...

      • Given the popularity of slow-motion girl-with-big-breasts-in-a-tiny-bikini-running-on-the-beach in movies, I'm surprised it's not a thing in pornography.

    • My Samsung Note 9 back camera has Slow Motion, Super Slow Motion and Time Lapse modes. I played around with them and managed to get decently interesting outcomes.
      At one point I was aiming my camera at a cat in Super Slow Motion mode, which awaits for movement in a small area of the screen, and it triggered for no apparent reason. Upon reviewing the footage, it turned out an insect flew through that area and the camera got triggered. The insect is blurred because it was out of focus but it was impressive nev

  • TLapsie (C) Copyright 2019 BIZX, LLC

    There ya go Commander. Use it in good health.
    • Sounds like a tasty cash crop fish combined with alcohol somehow
      - "I'm feeling a little TLapsie (C)... tee hee"
      Or if we're less punny, a dorky fish filter on the self-image? (Optionally in slow-motion)
      - "That TLapsie (C) you sent me made me wretch my lunch up... before lunch."

  • It's clear the real innovation stopped at Apple, if they have to resort to this kind of sillyness.

  • ...it sounds stupid anyway.

  • That means other companies won't copy this stupid shit.

  • because anything "slow" today is not good...and the market will name it anyway.

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