Looks like Apple is trying to patent RSS feeds and RSS auto-discovery:

Techniques for detecting, managing, and presenting syndication XML (feeds) are disclosed. In one embodiment, a web browser automatically determines that a web site is publishing feeds and notifies the user, who can then access the feed easily. In another embodiment, a browser determines that a web page or feed is advertising relationship XML, and displays information about the people identified in the relationship XML. In yet another embodiment, a browser determines that a file contains a feed and enables the user to view it in a user-friendly way. In yet another embodiment, feed state information is stored in a repository that is accessible by applications that are used to view the feed. In yet another embodiment, if a feed’s state changes, an application notifies the repository, and the state is updated. In yet another embodiment, a feed is parsed and stored in a structured way.

Now, the RSS format and feed readers have been around for quite a while. I remember generating feeds in RSS precursor Channel Definition Format for consumption by Microsoft Active Desktop around 1997 or 1998. The Apple patent applications are from January 2005 so there is quite obvious prior art.

Apple started doing silly things with RSS with the PhotoCast mess and this is a quite logical continuation.

Via Miguel de Icaza.