Users of Google's social network Google+ may soon be able to go goofy online, after Google was granted a new patent that lets them create and share comic strips of themselves.
The patent from the United States Patent and Trademark Office granted Dec. 31 allows "self-creation of comic strips in social networks and other communications."
"Communications to be shared on social networks and other electronic modes of communication are presented in comic strip form. The comic strips are created with a simplified user interface and are formatted to be well-suited for display on a selected social network or other electronic facility," read the abstract of the patent.
It added the comic strips are embedded in the social network or other facility, without the user having to go to a separate site to view the strip.
USPTO records showed the patent application was filed as early as February 16, 2010.
A separate article on Geekwire said the patent allowed Google to "create and share status updates in the form of comic strips."
It said this could let users create a comic about something that’s going on in their life, and then share it.
Potential new layer
Geekwire said such a patent could "add another potential layer to correspondence."
"Just imagine: it could be possible to tell someone that you accidentally shredded their favorite tie by sending them a short, humorous comic, rather than a painful email," it said.
But it added the patent could be bad news for apps like Bitstrips, which lets users post "silly little comics to their social networks." — VC, GMA News
source: gmanetwork.com
