Thunderbolt is a new technology that allows data transfer speeds at 20 times faster than regular USB ports, 12 times faster than the Firewire 800. It also offers the ability to power ultra high resolution displays. And according to the patent applications discovered by Patently Apple, Apple might be working to bring Thunderbolt technology to mobile devices.

November 2011 had the usual patent lawsuits, but also had some variety with people suing over unhappiness with Apple products, outing famous people’s religion, and a name Apple really wants to get.

There have been many articles written about the latest development in Apple’s lawsuit against Samsung, but most have made a critical error in equating what Apple did and what Samsung did in response as being the same. Fortunately This is My Next not only has the source documents of Samsung’s request, but also the best and most reasoned analysis I’ve seen anywhere.

Last month, Appletell reported that Apple Computer likely bought the iCloud domain name and that it probably would be used for an iTunes music streaming service. Now, we have a lot more information about how iTunes and iCloud can work together and why it will be to your advantage; especially if you use an iPod, iPhone, or iPad.

Recently on Appletell, we covered Samsung countersuing Apple for patent violations in South Korea, Japan and Germany, and wondered why they didn’t file a lawsuit in America as well. On April 27th they did just that in San Jose, California, claiming Apple is infringing 10 patents. Samsung is seeking to prevent Apple from using its technology as well as cash compensation.

Apple recently sued Samsung for violating 16 trademarks and 10 patents. Now, it’s Samsung’s turn, as it has countersued Apple for allegedly violating 10 of its patents relating to “power reduction during data transmission, 3G technology for reducing errors during data transmission, and wireless data communication technology.”

Published yesterday at the US Patent and trademark Office is a new patent awarded to Apple, Inc. for a hybrid dock connector that will work with both DisplayPort (Thunderbolt) and USB 3.0. Patently Apple seems to think this new connection could make its way into Apple devices before the end of the year, or, more likely, sometime next year when USB 3.0 may also make its way onto a Mac.

The multiple workspace feature, Spaces, is one of my favorite aspects Mac OS X. Having Spaces support in the iOS would go a considerable way toward mitigating the iOS’s lack of a Finder environment and my misgivings about the iPad as a serious work tool (although a tablet computer that could run OS X would be even better). Based on a recent Apple patent application filing, Cupertino may be working on either alternative…or both.

Apple has been granted a patent on a system that allows a user to “control the content of text-based messages sent to or received from an administered device.” In plain English: Apple could expand the parental controls in iOS to include restrictions on text messages sent from or received by an iPhone. Any message that meets a certain set of criteria could be redacted or blocked entirely. More importantly than just quashing the exchange of dirty talk via SMS, Apple’s patent also has a facility whereby the linguistic value of the message can be rated, and the device can force a user to update the message before sending.

The website Patently Apple has uncovered some rather interesting European patents from Apple concerning what they call the iMac Touch. It’s a desktop system that has all of the benefits and features of both a standard desktop computer and a large touch interface. One thing is for sure…I want one. Patently Apple’s “summary” of the patent filings is actually quite long. It’s more than just a quick read, so let me condense it for you.