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DrEwe said:
Apple could make a ton of cash "this simple connector - only available from Apple - ... very 2001:)

Apple making tons of cash on simplicity and ease of use???
Unheard of !

This is a wonderful vision of the future ( that leads to robots wiping us all out ).
 
Apple will not release the rumored "true video ipod" without this technology!

That's SO Cool. I really do imagine seeing this in the full screen iPods. it's so wierd that I JUST TODAY described the rumored 'true video ipod' and she says " well the screen would get fingerprints all over it" which I had never thought of. This is Perfect. I don't think that apple will release a full screen rumored true video ipod Without something exactly like this.

This is not only plausable, but I really think that it's probable. I'd bet money on this being with the true video ipod.
 
I am a little confused.

It says when you move toward the screen the appropriate control appears. So say you move toward the scroll wheel and it appears. Then do you scroll by making a scrolling motion in the air but close to the screen? Or do you scroll by rubbing your finger along the image of the scroll wheel?

One other thought.....when Apple introduced the ROKR, they said it's iTunes on your phone. That sounded a bit odd to me. Apple has never referred to the software on the iPod as iTunes.

But maybe with this increased interactivity Apple will put something on this larger screen that resembles the iTunes screen (Library, Playlists, Video Lists), possibly having iTunes on your iPod? Just an idea.
 
It seems like a major problem with this would be the fact that you get no tactile feedback. However, I have tapping enabled on my iBook and I don't find it odd or uncomfortable at all then I "click" on something. I'm sure it would take some getting used to, but I imagine that it could work.
 
Hmmm, good idea DrEwe, but...

I like your idea and I think it would work in many situations if there is indeed going to be a "transition phase" toward a new type of connection format. However, I'll stick by my prediction as it offers the maximum benefit for Apple and its third party partners while keeping the whole user interaction simpler and more elegant. The Nike situation is different in the respect that it is really the only way to make a product like that work–can't have a bunch of wires getting in the way of running. I know the iPod Hi-Fi probably isn't selling well enough for Apple to worry that a new connection format would hurt their own profit margin much, but there are a LOT of third party partners out there that have only recently given it their best because Apple has probably assured them that the dock connector will be around for quite some time, so third party R&D won't be a black hole or recurring expense in that area. It is what has helped the accessory market evolve to the point it has, which has benefitted Apple immensly-don't think Apple doesn't realize that fact! It is also what is missing from the also-ran MP3 manufacturers: not enough consistency to make it worth their investment to produce for those products.

I guess we'll just have to wait and see. Of course, it COULD have both....
 
penter said:
this sounds very interesting and futuristic. i wonder how you click, or make a selection. it would be pointless if you could scroll wothout touching the screen, but had to touch it in order to click on the scroll wheel.
im excited though! sounds cool!

I can see how simple gestures could be recognized as the various clicks that you would normally do, so I don't think this would be an issue.
 
xPismo said:
Wave your hands in the air controls?

Wait, I've seen that before somewhere?! Hmmmmm.

images


As long as I don't have to wear those gloves. uuugh.


Did anyone here ever play Journeyman Project 3: Legacy of Time? That came out before Minority Report and they had this kind of non-touch interface, but they didn't have to wear funny gloves! ;)
 
mazola said:
Re: Zune already features none-touch technology

I wouldn't touch one.

Zune already features none-touch technology? Huh? Zune doesn't even exist yet (at least from a consumer point of view), so how can you say it already has anything?

Comparing two products that haven't been released (nor even had their specs officially released) seems quite pointless...
 
I see some sort of conversion of these rumors, and a clear indication that the big screen virtual interface thing might be feasible, but really... all the rumors are getting a bit much, next thing the ipod will be a all purpose video edeting aplience called the... macbook! :p
 
swingerofbirch said:
<SNIP>
But maybe with this increased interactivity Apple will put something on this larger screen that resembles the iTunes screen (Library, Playlists, Video Lists), possibly having iTunes on your iPod? Just an idea.

Hmm... and why might we want iTunes (proper) on an iPod? Maybe to download music directly, as in accessing iTMS over WiFi? So, maybe this new iPod will have a full screen, which will be enough to provide a more substantial GUI, and allow for an implementation of iTMS directly on the iPod. This would be crucial to having a functional WiFi iPod, as well as having a good video iPod. Sounds good to me!

(Personally, I will say that I certainly don't know enough to judge whether or not this is in any way a realistic expectation. But, to be fair, this may simply be the new top-end iPod, or vPod, and the lower end models will still have the tactile UI. Food for thought, if nothing else...)
 
seenew said:
Wouldn't it be "non-touch?"

None-touch doesn't sound right..

That phrase came from a printed report of a Q&A with Hon Hai CEO Terry Gou. We don't even know if that's a direct quote or a translation, let alone the accuracy of the transcript.
 
Snowy_River said:
Zune already features none-touch technology? Huh? Zune doesn't even exist yet (at least from a consumer point of view), so how can you say it already has anything?

Comparing two products that haven't been released (nor even had their specs officially released) seems quite pointless...

No - Mazola meant that Zune had none-touch - because he wouldn't touch it!

Geddit?!

RodC
--
www.expodition.com - for iPod users who love to travel
 
cslewis said:
How about a proto-telepathic interface? :cool:

MattG said:
I want an iPod that can read my mind...I'll bet Apple could do it

It can be done and is already being done. A receptor near the part of your brain that controls movement picks up where you want something to go (like a mouse pointer) Currently however there is a little disadvantage, because you need a pin through your skull to pick up the signals accuratly enough. However, there have been experiments with "stickers" on your skull, but this is less accuratly. Still, it should be well enough for an iPod Shuffle interface. And if they incorporate this in headphones, it should be possible.

mi5moav said:
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?)

(...)

3. Headphone jack...Bluetooth


1. I don't think a razor or toothbrush require as much power as an iPod, especially not with a 4 inch screen. Charching through magnetic fields is only good enough for very light electrical equipment, that doesn't require a lot of power

3. Have you ever listened via bluetooth headphones? It's crap


Finiksa said:
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.

Amen.

As for tactile feedback, I think that it would not be that hard to adjust the controls to the position of your fingers. Imagine you are driving in a car, you don't look at the iPod, but you tap once on the surface, and whereever you touch is the middle button, and then you don't really need this feedback.



But I think the biggest advantage is that it would be very very simple to adjust the interface to dial phonenumbers, type text messages, and so on. In other words: the iPhone would be within handreach, and it would not require dozens of buttons added to interface (eg via a dock connector like the FM radio) I believe this was planned for 2006
 
aswitcher said:
No touch...mmmm...means I can use my tounge to change tunes when I have my hands full ;)
The existing iPods already are lickable, though the 3rd gen controls are a little more convenient than the click wheel and button interfaces. Feel free to take my word on this, and if you feel the need to confirm, remember that it's probably rude in most places to lick someone else's iPod without asking nicely first.
 
This says one thing. Apple is continuing to innovate, and that makes me smile. I would imagine that Apple is also a bit wary of carrion fowl such as creative who would swoop down on a market conquered by Apple, and demand a pittance because their own product was a failure.
 
iMeowbot said:
The existing iPods already are lickable, though the 3rd gen controls are a little more convenient than the click wheel and button interfaces. Feel free to take my word on this, and if you feel the need to confirm, remember that it's probably rude in most places to lick someone else's iPod without asking nicely first.


Ok, now I need to see all that in a silhouette Apple add.
 
iMeowbot said:
Feel free to take my word on this, and if you feel the need to confirm, remember that it's probably rude in most places to lick someone else's iPod without asking nicely first.

It's also likely to lead to a Douglas Adams-esque end-of-the-world pandemic scenario! Euuuh!
 
This would be a nice UI for ebooks - just swipe your finger/hand across the display to turn the page.

The None-Touch (presumably so named as it sounds more pleasing than "Non-Touch", and is a play on "One-Touch") name would imply that at least some control can be achieved without touching the screen.
 
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