Apple submits patent for "chameleonic" enclosure.

[MacBytes]

Category: News and Press Releases
Link: Apple submits patent for "chameleonic" enclosure.
Posted on MacBytes.com

Approved by Mudbug

[Mudbug]

much weirdness. I guess this falls in with the light-changing patent they filed a while back (I'll look for the link).

[swingerofbirch]

Inspired by Steve Jobs' 1970s trek to India, Apple proudly introduces iAcid, the world's first computer designed for boozers, losers, and users.

/got nothing

[suntzu]

Originally Posted by swingerofbirch

Inspired by Steve Jobs' 1970s trek to India, Apple proudly introduces iAcid, the world's first computer designed for boozers, losers, and users.

/got nothing

Hahaha.

[imaswitcheryeah]

Originally Posted by Mudbug

much weirdness. I guess this falls in with the light-changing patent they filed a while back (I'll look for the link).

I was thinking the same thing.. after reading this article, I was reminded of that old news tidbit and wondered what ever happened to it. It's been a little while so maybe this will be coming to reality not too far from now... ?

[LimeiBook86]

I don't know what Apple has up their sleeve but this has to be good!

iMac + G5 + this new LED technology = Awesome new iMac!!




Come on Apple, wow me!

[aswitcher]

Originally Posted by LimeiBook86

I don't know what Apple has up their sleeve but this has to be good!

iMac + G5 + this new LED technology = Awesome new iMac!!




Come on Apple, wow me!

Very cool if machine pulsed and strobed with itunes...very 60s



Wonder if the their will be a kiddy function that makes the machine glow red when looking at naughty images

[LimeiBook86]

Originally Posted by aswitcher

Wonder if the their will be a kiddy function that makes the machine glow red when looking at naughty images

Hahaha, great parental feature

[Abstract]

It would look hideous.

[Fender2112]

Instead of customizing just the desktop, you wil able to customize the enclosure as well. This has huge cool factor potential. This will leave the PC folks scratching their heads.

[TheArchpadre]

Blech. This sounds like it would be horribly tacky, not to mention that computers don't need more flashing lights. Some of us have to sleep in the same room as these things; we don't want light shows while we're trying to catch some shut-eye.

Just last night I had to attack my AirPort Express with some black electrical tape to block out the traffic-light green glow emanating from under my desk. I don't want to have to do the same thing to my entire computer enclosure.

[Chaszmyr]

Is this really new, and not an adaptation of that older patent request?

[nagromme]

Don't forger that Apple patents ideas "just in case," too. They come up with something, don't have any market for it, but are ready to profit if anyone else wants to license it--or if one day it does make sense for Apple themselves.

This sounds like one that won't see the light of day.

Here are the images--but good luck in Safari (drag to desktop to open in Preview):

http://aiw2.uspto.gov:80/.aiw?Docid=...y=49A1A6831949

[TomSmithMacEd]

I think this would be cool, if you could just change the color of the whole encloser of hte g5 iMac. Make it swirl, or change to whatever color you need. For those who complain you can just make it a dark black.

[Brother Michael]

I want one. Period.

Mike

[717]

I think it sounds more like something that is meant for a portable device. Say if your iPod is playing, the shell would go green and when you're streaming of wifi it would turn red etc

2 ¢

[Nermal]

Originally Posted by TheArchpadre

Just last night I had to attack my AirPort Express with some black electrical tape to block out the traffic-light green glow emanating from under my desk. I don't want to have to do the same thing to my entire computer enclosure.

I know what you mean. I never put my G4 to sleep at night, because that pulsating light keeps me awake.

[pozytron]

Originally Posted by imaswitcheryeah

I was thinking the same thing.. after reading this article, I was reminded of that old news tidbit and wondered what ever happened to it. It's been a little while so maybe this will be coming to reality not too far from now... ?

Or, this is a bizarre example of non-news:

Apple submitted a patent application in February ...

... so why are we hearing about this now?

[LimeiBook86]

Originally Posted by TheArchpadre

Blech. This sounds like it would be horribly tacky, not to mention that computers don't need more flashing lights. Some of us have to sleep in the same room as these things; we don't want light shows while we're trying to catch some shut-eye.

Just last night I had to attack my AirPort Express with some black electrical tape to block out the traffic-light green glow emanating from under my desk. I don't want to have to do the same thing to my entire computer enclosure.

Hahaha, that happened to me too! I didn't put tape over it but I just turned my head the other way. But I know what your saying, haha.

[applekid]

Do you guys remember that enclosure Apple patented that changed colors? It was a while back. Anyways, this sounds like a follow-up or a new and improved version. Still waiting to see it released.

[narco]

I really hope this is one of those patents that Apple doesn't persue. I usually have faith in the Apple design department, but if this IS a computer that glows and changes colours, people are going to think it's a total gimmick to push sales. I have a bad feeling about it.

.narco

[macsrus]

More than likely its just another bogus never to be used patent

[fabsgwu]

very "orb" like. I imagine its kind of like the little "sleep" light behind the laminate on my iMac, or the lighting behind keys on my cell phone...

[imaswitcheryeah]

Originally Posted by TheArchpadre

Blech. This sounds like it would be horribly tacky, not to mention that computers don't need more flashing lights. Some of us have to sleep in the same room as these things; we don't want light shows while we're trying to catch some shut-eye.

Just last night I had to attack my AirPort Express with some black electrical tape to block out the traffic-light green glow emanating from under my desk. I don't want to have to do the same thing to my entire computer enclosure.

That's why there would be an option to turn it off. Or you could just not buy the computer that has this feature.

[iMeowbot]

Originally Posted by macsrus

More than likely its just another bogus never to be used patent

I don't think so, this time. Apple have filed several patent applications in this area, and they continue to revise it.

The way this application is written, the invention is described so that it could be used on any computer or other electonic device. That's so that is they use it on, say, an iPod, someone sle can't go and put it into a PC cabinet.

My guess is that what is really being described here isn't a purely decorative case, but an inexpensive alternative to an LCD display panel.

One common complaint about the iPod is that it doesn't have a way to enter simple text for taking notes, or using anything but preset equialization. What if those LEDs were embedded in the wheel and/or face of the box, and touching an area with a lighted symbol served as a sort of keypad (or sliders, whatever is needed)? There have been touch panels built atop LCD and CRT displays forever, but if you want more than a tiny display the cost tends to get prohibitive.

Anyway, it may not be an iPod thing, but I do suspect it's more of a user interface thing than pure eye candy.