Google to turn users' online conversations into comic strips

Google was awarded a patent for a project called “Self-creation of comic strips in social networks and other communications” yesterday. Google's software will facilitate the conversion and sharing of comic strips using multiple parties' online conversations on social networks.

The idea, similar to Bitstrips in terms of the social element, is detailed in Google's patent as a process that allows users to essentially turn pre-existing conversations, between at least two people, into a comic strip layout. This process can be initiated manually or automatically. Although, if anyone were to call it an innovative idea, think again. As Engadget points out, Apple and Microsoft have already released software based on the same basic idea as early as 1996; for example - Microsoft Comic Chat.

The key differentiator for Google's new idea is the shareable element of the comic strips produced, via email, IM or on a social network 'stream' or profile page. These digital comic strips can also be edited by other parties to broaden the life span of the 'story'. The user will be able to select an appropriate theme for the strip and give it a title.

[link to hexus.net]

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Will this technology put an end to conversations that take a wrong turn or end online foot in mouth?