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Apple None-Touch iPod Interface?

seems like a step in the right direction.
this frees up the space of the wheel and would allow for a full screen ipod.
pretty dope.

now all they need to add is a 5.0 mp camera, wifi, web browser, and phone. :D
 
This sounds like a brilliant concept. If it ever makes it into a shipping product I suspect Apple would utilise it to maintain the protective layer of plastic over the screen like current iPods instead of exposing the fragile LCD/OLED display. The users could scroll directly on the iPod housing instead of having to float their finger in the air above the display.
 
Although it sounds sketchy on paper, Steve will convince you that its the next big thing.
 
xfiftyfour said:
sounds interesting, though i have a feeling many people will just ignore the feature and end up touching the screen anyway, lol.
Click to expand...
I think some of you have the wrong understanding of this 'non-touch' concept. You'll still be touching the screen. The purpose of the non-touch technology is to hide the scroll wheel (or any other controller) whenever it's not needed. But I think you'll still be touching the screen to actually activate the virtual buttons. That's my reading of it, anyways.

Lixivial said:
Kinda takes away from that whole "Simplicity is everything" slogan Apple is known for, doesn't it? While I'll reserve my judgments on the design until it's worked into a final product, it does look like the user needs to take unnecessary steps to actually use the click wheel. Then again, pictures (drawings) probably can't do the interface justice.

Still, not everything has to be digital over analog...
Click to expand...
I actually think this will be even more intuitive than other interfaces because the controls will be contextual. The buttons will automatically appear and disappear as you move your fingers over the iPod screen. The buttons themselves, I'm imagining, will maintain the look and feel of the trademark iPod scrollwheel. If you are smart enough to operate the current iPods, you'll be smart enough to use the touch-sensitive controls.

BTW, wasn't this story already posted elsewhere a couple of days back? Shouldn't Macrumors be crediting the original publisher?

edit: Appleinsider had this article last week. It goes into more detail too.
 
twoodcc said:
seems interesting. i don't know if i would use it that much, but this could be a good thing.
Click to expand...
Sounds like someone didn't take the time to read the post. If you wouldn't use it much you're implying you wouldn't use the iPod... period.
 
My brain is still trying to fathom using such an interface on an ipod.

This concept seems better suited for FrontRow, taking a page out of Gyration's gyroscope and/or laser mouse.

www.gyration.com
 
If this patent is anything close to reality, Apple may be prepping something much bigger than an iPod, something closer to a full-featured OS X tablet computer. You'll be running a full-featured version of iTunes, not just the simplified UI of the iPod:

patent-ipod-touch17.gif
 
This is old news, the prototypes where shown last month. They actually use Apples igesture software very cool stuff. If you swipe your finger off the screen to the left it is like reverse, finger swipe off screen to top is volume up, finger slide on left or right side mimics scroll... I can't remeber where i saw all the different igestures will have to look. I talked about this about a month ago regarding there new code name"Freedom" let me see if I can find an older link on my ramblings...

The new Ipod has no buttons, no scroll wheel, no headphone jack, no dock connector. In other words freedom from everything. The most aesthetic piece of technology ever conceived.


1. Power Supply through SplashPower. Similar to those toothbrushes and razors that charge through there plastics with magnetic fields.(strange they haven't updated there site since September 05...did Apple acquire them?)

2. Transfer of songs...Wireless USB

3. Headphone jack...Bluetooth

4. Navigation...virtual touchless/touch screen. As your finger moves over the ipods screen a virtual scrolling interface pops up allowing for more screen real-estate. fingerprints?? not to worry you don't actually have to touch the screen, embedded in/behind the lcd are capacitors that can tell, which direction your fingers are going. Igesture software will be used to give commands(Apple needed to add another way to input besides pop up scroll wheel... need some sort of tactile or directional point to start from... otherwise on a completely blank screen, which end is up??) I guess this way you can still activate and use the device while it is in your pocket, and even a blind individual could use igestures.

5. Hold Button/Power On fingerprint screen identification(great for if your ipod is stolen)

So, there you have it a completely enclosed ipod, so elegant as not to have a single button or port opening or anything but a beautiful screen... Apple will release the in 2006... Freedom... free your self from everything.

*ipod Nano will still have dock connector for now.
 
Some Apple patents are just "out there" and don't sound useful in practice. I never expect to see them in a product.

But THIS sounds actually very useful--the problem of whether a keyboard hogs the screen or not is solved, etc. etc.

Apple's hiring says they're serious about touch computing. For an iPod? For a Mac? And when? I can't wait to find out!
 
mi5moav said:
The new Ipod has no buttons, no scroll wheel, no headphone jack, no dock connector. In other words freedom from everything. The most aesthetic piece of technology ever conceived.

...

*ipod Nano will still have dock connector for now.
Click to expand...

A non-physical hold switch would be highly impractical. I just want to be able to slip the thing into my pocket without worrying about changing the volume -- I don't want to have to use a fingerprint identification to do that.

Also, this was all posted on AppleInsider last week, why is this front-page news?
 
Let's think for a moment....

<So, there you have it a completely enclosed ipod, so elegant as not to have a single button or port opening or anything but a beautiful screen.>

I think there is a hole in this argument/dream. Apple has spent considerable time and marketing money in the Made for iPod campaign that centers arounds the dock connector. They have created the Universal dock and inserts for all recent iPods, promising to keep these updated with all new iPods in the foreseeable future. Therefore, I seriously doubt these new no touch iPods wouldn't have at least a dock connector. It allows third parties to keep their investment in accessories without getting pissed at Apple for changing the rules again. How about all these car interfaces that are just now gaining traction in new automobiles for example? They need the dock connector to work. Without the third party economy and proprietary ports, there is also little to keep the MS Menace at bay, despite the coolness of such a product.

Bottom Line: there WILL be a regular dock connector for the foreseeable future on all iPods except the shuffle (which is on it's way out).
 
crees! said:
Sounds like someone didn't take the time to read the post. If you wouldn't use it much you're implying you wouldn't use the iPod... period.
Click to expand...

sorry, i said it wrong. i guess i meant to say that i wouldn't go out and buy a new ipod just for this feature
 
SirROM said:
<So, there you have it a completely enclosed ipod, so elegant as not to have a single button or port opening or anything but a beautiful screen.>

I think there is a hole in this argument/dream. Apple has spent considerable time and marketing money in the Made for iPod campaign that centers arounds the dock connector. They have created the Universal dock and inserts for all recent iPods, promising to keep these updated with all new iPods in the foreseeable future. Therefore, I seriously doubt these new no touch iPods wouldn't have at least a dock connector. It allows third parties to keep their investment in accessories without getting pissed at Apple for changing the rules again. How about all these car interfaces that are just now gaining traction in new automobiles for example? They need the dock connector to work. Without the third party economy and proprietary ports, there is also little to keep the MS Menace at bay, despite the coolness of such a product.

Bottom Line: there WILL be a regular dock connector for the foreseeable future on all iPods except the shuffle (which is on it's way out).
Click to expand...

oh thank you for the answers, oh great enlightened one
 
Ehhh... A headphone jack would be nice. I don't want to have to buy new headphones just for my iPod...:mad:
 
SirROM said:
Without the third party economy and proprietary ports, there is also little to keep the MS Menace at bay, despite the coolness of such a product.

Bottom Line: there WILL be a regular dock connector for the foreseeable future on all iPods except the shuffle (which is on it's way out).
Click to expand...

While, I am skeptical of the no non-wireless interfaces. I have to disagree that Apple cares much about third-parties when designing their iPods. The dock connector has been pretty standard, but other characteristics have not. For example, the remote port, that used to be near the headphones. It was also used by FM transmitters and microphones and maybe more. The size of the iPods also keeps changing (the new 5G are a bit wider and thinner than the 4G) making any devices that the iPod "fits into" need to be retooled.

The bottom line is that if Apple sees merit in changing the interface (like removing the remote port to conserve space), it will do it regardless of effects to accessory manufacturers. They will adapt to the new designs.

crackpip
 
No freakin thanks. Its already hard enough to control the touch sensitive orange ipod because its so "touchy." It would literally be impossible to use the ipod without looking with an interface like that, driving with an ipod would go from dangerous to suicidal. Its not the least bit practical and would just be a gimmick.

Its just an all around NO for me. One hand control would be a pain, no-look control would be impossible, the learning curve would take awhile to get used to because it would be the first thing with controls like that, no cases, pretty much no everything. Bad idea.
 
The Day The Earth Stood Still

Sounds like the controls used in the alien spaceship in the movie "The Day The Earth Stood Still". Klatu would just wave his hands at the controls and things would happen.
 
Stupidity of the US patent law

This patent clearly reminds me the one-time very popular misic instrument - TermenVox. The same method of operation. BTW - it's almost 100 years old. :)
For me this is one more time where everybody can see the problems with the US Patent Law.
 
nice thoughts, all.

I would love all of the features brought up above, but I just don't see it in a sub $500 unit. It's just not going to happen any time soon. It would just cost too much. Besides who wants wireless usb when you can sync with FW800? :)
 
SirROM said:
I think there is a hole in this argument/dream. Apple has spent considerable time and marketing money in the Made for iPod campaign that centers arounds the dock connector. They have created the Universal dock and inserts for all recent iPods, promising to keep these updated with all new iPods in the foreseeable future. Therefore, I seriously doubt these new no touch iPods wouldn't have at least a dock connector. .
Click to expand...

The new Nike-Apple collaboration shows how Apple could get around this - simply a female dock receptacle, bluetooth (or whatever) configured to replace the physical dock connection. It would work for automobile interfaces, the iPhoto connection etc.

Apple could make a ton of cash "this simple connector - only available from Apple - allows all your iPod accessories to communicate with our new iMonolith iPod"... very 2001:)
 
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