Apple Extends iPod Touch Trademark to Include Gaming Devices

[MacRumors]

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office earlier this month approved for publication a trademark application from Apple for the term "iPod touch" that would extend protection to cover "Hand-held units for playing electronic games; Handheld game consoles" under International Class 28 (games, toys, and sporting goods).

Apple has held a trademark for the iPod touch name since 2008 under International Class 9 (audiovisual and information technology equipment) with the following description:

Portable and handheld digital electronic devices for recording, organizing, transmitting, manipulating, and reviewing text, data, audio and video files; computer software for use in organizing, transmitting, manipulating, and reviewing text, data, audio and video files on portable and handheld digital electronic devices.

As part of its justification for the new trademark application under gaming consoles, Apple submitted a screenshot of its iPod touch overview page scrolled to the "Gaming" section, with red arrows calling out the product name and the "Buy" button.

The iPod touch has of course been a handheld gaming console since its launch over a decade ago, so it's unclear why Apple has waited until now to extend its trademark coverage to include the area. It could be a purely defensive move to protect against competitors or other challenges, but given rumors last week of Apple working on a seventh-generation iPod touch some three and half years after the last update, there's naturally some speculation that there could be more to this.

We haven't heard any specific rumors about what to expect in a seventh-generation iPod touch, but we expect Apple to keep spec upgrades fairly minimal in order to maintain a low price point to appeal to customers who can't or don't want to step up to an iPhone.

Apple's new application will be published for opposition on February 19, and unless viable third-party opposition to Apple's claim appears, the company will be granted the trademark later this year.

Article Link: Apple Extends iPod Touch Trademark to Include Gaming Devices

 

[AngerDanger]

Hopefully they're keeping this thing around. I remember it being a great introduction into the iOS ecosystem when I was a kid, and using the iPod as a game console evokes a sense of nostalgia.

In fact, after learning that Epic was removing the Infinity Blade trilogy, I dug out my old 3rd generation iPod and synced massively out-of-date apps to it from the old family PC. It now serves as a shrine to gaming on the App Store circa 2008:

 

[chinito77]

I can't see how people would not buy an iPad mini or even an old iPad for gaming? Even with the iPhone XS Max screen, I feel it's too small for gaming. My iPad Pro gets more gaming time than even my consoles. But hey, if people like puzzles and tap the screen a hundred times type of games, enjoy.

 

[2GoldFish]

It is possible to use Apple iPod Touch to interact with Apple TV so user can play games on their TV?

Or is this old news?

 

[Baymowe335]

I can't see how people would not buy an iPad mini or even an old iPad for gaming? Even with the iPhone XS Max screen, I feel it's too small for gaming. My iPad Pro gets more gaming time than even my consoles. But hey, if people like puzzles and tap the screen a hundred times type of games, enjoy.

The only game I play is chess. Works with basically any size.

I think games on phones are basically terrible. If Apple can disrupt the gaming industry, watch out. I’m not sure what that would look like, but seems they could do something.

 

[Superhappytree]

Actually now would be the perfect time to introduce new iPod Touch models with these crazy AF iPhone and iPad prices.

 

[Scarpad]

if the released an updated Touch with new internals and 256gb ram id buy one in a minute if it was priced reasonably, i still use mine almost everynight to listen to music and podcast as i fall asleep. My Max is charging next to me and its just easier to throw the touch next to me on the pillow

 

[Slix]

Hmm. So maybe a larger iPod touch screen? Maybe we'll see that rumored iPhone SE full sized display soon!

 

[jpn]

no.
the reason to explicitly put red arrows on these kinds of fillings is to defend a product against trademark encroachment by others.
apple is making a public statement that it is still selling these.

 

[aaronsullivan]

That’s one way to sell iPod touches: slap a nice set of controls on the chin and forehead and become the first hardware Apple really targets games with. It’s the product to do it on.

It would help to explain why maybe to bring it back when most kids get hand me down iPhones or iPads now. “This one has dedicated game controls.”

 

[480951]

It is possible to use Apple iPod Touch to interact with Apple TV so user can play games on their TV?

Or is this old news?

The most recent iPod touches can run iOS12 so they should be able to act as a remote just like iPhones do with the app.

 

[CanadianGuy]

If/when Apple releases an update iPod touch (assuming ~$200 USD), it'll be an instant buy for me. I like to have a dedicated device connected to my audio system for streaming music that has no personal info on it so it can be left without a passcode turned on. This way guests can just queue up songs etc as they want.

 

[Delgibbons]

if the released an updated Touch with new internals and 256gb ram id buy one in a minute if it was priced reasonably, i still use mine almost everynight to listen to music and podcast as i fall asleep. My Max is charging next to me and its just easier to throw the touch next to me on the pillow

That's a hell of a lot of RAM

 

[ignatius345]

The most recent iPod touches can run iOS12 so they should be able to act as a remote just like iPhones do with the app.

I think he was asking if it could be used as a game controller somehow (which I don't believe it can?)

 

[2GoldFish]

I think he was asking if it could be used as a game controller somehow (which I don't believe it can?)

Yes, that what I was meaning to ask. Can we currently do this?

 

[Sasparilla]

Hmmnnnn, how far do they update this is really the question. For real gaming an A12 would be the answer (and they might have a bunch extra laying around), but A11 would be great on that form factor as well (limited amount of pixels getting pushed). So maybe A11, camera from the iPhone 8 or 7. Wifi only of course - I would probably buy one of these.

 

[spacebro]

how is this different from a wifi-only iPhone?

 

[ignatius345]

If/when Apple releases an update iPod touch (assuming ~$200 USD), it'll be an instant buy for me. I like to have a dedicated device connected to my audio system for streaming music that has no personal info on it so it can be left without a passcode turned on. This way guests can just queue up songs etc as they want.

I've used an iPod Touch for exactly this and it's great. The one I had was kind of old and stopped being able to run Spotify smoothly so I upgraded to an iPad Mini 4, which is now a "floater" iOS device that has to its own Apple ID and is integrated with Family Sharing so it can share purchases, iTunes media, iCloud storage, etc. Since it's not anyone's "personal" device it's definitely not a big deal if anybody wants to use it.

In addition to audio streaming, it's also handy for recipes, as a general shared reading device, and in a pinch as a FaceTime device (handy for calling home if my wife *ahem* leaves her phone in her purse set to vibrate and I can't reach her otherwise).

Anyway, no reason at all a recent iPod Touch couldn't handle all this instead but I'd be hard-pressed to go back to it given the many more uses the iPad's size makes possible.

 

[spacebro]

The only game I play is chess. Works with basically any size.

I think games on phones are basically terrible. If Apple can disrupt the gaming industry, watch out. I’m not sure what that would look like, but seems they could do something.

The App Store is a cess pool of crappy, glitchy, and unfinished games. I've been ripped off by 2 different big companies who refused to investigate freaking IAP glitches (Gameloft and Wargaming). IOS gaming is not there yet and IAP games are crap even if you're willing to pay for IAPs.

 

[ignatius345]

how is this different from a wifi-only iPhone?

Lacks the motion sensors the iPhone has, has a lower-spec'ed camera, no biometric sensors (FaceID, TouchID), no GPS, generally lower-spec'ed processors.

But functionally, you can definitely use one for almost everything you could use an iPhone for, provided you're on wifi. FaceTime Audio, Skype, iMessage, etc would all make this quite easier than it used to be.

 

[Sasparilla]

how is this different from a wifi-only iPhone?

The price compared to an iphone and no mobile UID for anyone to log if you take it anywhere a government cares about.

 

[goobot]

I can't see how people would not buy an iPad mini or even an old iPad for gaming? Even with the iPhone XS Max screen, I feel it's too small for gaming. My iPad Pro gets more gaming time than even my consoles. But hey, if people like puzzles and tap the screen a hundred times type of games, enjoy.

Think more like psp.

 

[Jodeo]

I've thought recently that maybe Apple consider rebranding it as the GamePod and focus it on
* Handheld gaming,
* AR games and experiences,
* Supplemental control to AppleTV, HomePod, even AirPlay2 TVs that are coming out

Of course, it would still play music and run apps. The key is to (a) differentiate from the iPhone and (b) price it to sell.

 

[ryanwarsaw]

Apple is going to acquire Nintendo.

 

[Kaibelf]

I can't see how people would not buy an iPad mini or even an old iPad for gaming? Even with the iPhone XS Max screen, I feel it's too small for gaming. My iPad Pro gets more gaming time than even my consoles. But hey, if people like puzzles and tap the screen a hundred times type of games, enjoy.

The guys who created Angry Birds and Candy Crush pretty much proved that there's a market for those small screens and basic games, and that's just fine. Some could say that gaming on an iPad is quaint when you should use a console. Some could look down their noses at those people and opt for a VR ready gaming rig. And none of them is correct. There are plenty of types of games, and tons of ways to consume them, and that's just fine.