For all those of you who think that Google already knows a bit too much about your online behaviour, the latest patent that they have applied for might really terrify you. If you can't be bothered to read through all of the technical detail, here is a summary.

The technology they are patenting uses the accelerometer found in their Android mobile phone handset (as well as the iPhone) which can detect the speed and direction of movement of the phone. In this way they hope to be able to determine what you are doing whilst carrying your phone, and offer you functionality accordingly. For instance, if you are going for a jog at 6am it might start playing music for you automatically. Then you drive to work and the phone automatically switched to speakerphone mode. Or perhaps you catch a train in which case it will offer you up some light reading to pass the time, perhaps the news headlines. You arrive at work and put your phone on your desk and all of your awaiting work voicemails are loaded onto it for you whilst you make yourself a cup of coffee.

Of course, just because they have applied for a patent does not mean they actually have the technology to implement any of these ideas yet. But I wouldn't bet against them being able to do it soon.