This is a nice method for tranferring files. But it is hardly new, (even) Microsoft have been been demonstrating this technology in their redmond labs for quite a long time. I think Sony Ericsson will struggle to get a patent on this.

All sounds a bit too all-encompassing to me. Somewhat like another patent that's caused trouble. How the act of sending a file from a to b by "gesturing" at it rather than thumping a button marked "send" makes this a uniquely patentable feature sums up everything that's wrong with the patent system to me.

Presumably, if I were to come up with a system that worked the same way but required the user to use his willy on the screen rather than his finger that would be sufficiently different to get me my own patent?

Now, if you could stick two fingers up at your oh-so-clever phone when it pisses you off (as it inevitably will at some point) and have it immediately fly off and shove itself up the arse of Sony-Ericsson's CEO, that would be worth having. Hmmm, I feel a patent application coming on.

"We wish Sony Ericsson luck, but we're minded of Sony's original notion behind its Memory Stick card format: that the card could pick up and drop off data by literally tapping files presented on PCs' screens.

That technique never made it out of Sony's labs, and we wonder if Sony Ericsson's 'flick'n'file' system will either."

If they have New Content to Present everyone will flick in file and Follow AI Quantum Operating System.

For is that not what IT is Building? Or is IT Aliens @ ur Work, Rest and Play doin' ITs Own Inimicable Thing? :-)

A Ping Dynasty, El Reg.!? I Kid U Not. :-)

I think the Internet is already a 'ping dynasty'...

"Now, if you could stick two fingers up at your oh-so-clever phone when it pisses you off (as it inevitably will at some point) and have it immediately fly off and shove itself up the arse of Sony-Ericsson's CEO, that would be worth having. Hmmm, I feel a patent application coming on."

LOL

Priceless.

"Recently released documents describe how data, such as MP3 files, can be selected on-screen and then ‘flicked’ ... in the direction of another compatible device..."

This is just P2P gone mad! The RIAA will go SPARE!!!

So how is this different from Acorn (1987) drag-and-drop file saving application with their Beeb link that let you magically transfer any form of data between your nice new Archimedes and your old faithful BBC Model B

Sounds like Sony might never brinf this to market but are applying for it, just so that they can add to their portfolio of patents, like many other companies do nowadays.

How long before all companies stop making products and just apply for patents, we'll have a lot of ideas that are too expensive to license for manufacture.