Patent Reveals Apple is Planning iOS App Sharing

Recently revealed, Apple latest patent application adds a new idea to the iOS and the App Store, called Phone-to-Phone app sharing, which allows for apps on one iOS to be shared to other iOS device.

This is possible based on “Application Seed” system, which is a ID that identifies the app, and has a secure identifier and other data like where the app can be found. Apple’s system would simplify the process finding and downloading the app, and it would give incentives to the promoter of the of the app being recommending the app.

It would require for the app owner to allow sharing the app in order to be able to app share. The app being shared could be a full copy for that session, demo or limited version of the app. If Apple is granted the patent, we would see a social advantage to the app store.