Apple Patent Application Details Touch-Sensitive Unmounting of External Devices From Computers

[Droid13]

Well, this interesting...

I have to say, though, that this seems an overly complicated way of solving a problem that shouldn't exist - thumb drives shouldn't suffer or cause problems when they are removed unless it is in the middle of a write operation or something. And as has been pointed out, other operating systems cope well with this scenario already anyway.

It does look pretty cool though. Hope that if this gets implemented that it works with any form of removable storage, guess we'll just have to wait and see...

 

[SeaFox]

It does look pretty cool though. Hope that if this gets implemented that it works with any form of removable storage, guess we'll just have to wait and see...

ROFL. Of course it wont. The flash drive would have to have some way of sensing if you're touching it or not -- that's a hardware feature. And since the majority of computers are running an operating system that doesn't have this dismount issue, guess how many manufacturers are going to start adding that to a product that is essentially a flash memory chip in a plastic casing with a plug soldered on.

Everyone, I'm predicting it now: The Apple Flash Drive.

Made especially for the weakness present in OSX.

It will be slim, attractive, and only cost three or four times the competition does per GB. And people will buy it in droves because it has an Apple logo on it.

 

[locust76]

It will be slim, attractive, and only cost three or four times the competition does per GB. And people will buy it in droves because it has an Apple logo on it.

And you'll have to swirl your finger around on the Apple logo to get it to dismount. After some time, the oleophobic coating will wear off, causing the stick to overheat, discolor and burst into flames.

All while still mounted in the file system.

 

[Droid13]

ROFL. Of course it wont. The flash drive would have to have some way of sensing if you're touching it or not -- that's a hardware feature. And since the majority of computers are running an operating system that doesn't have this dismount issue, guess how many manufacturers are going to start adding that to a product that is essentially a flash memory chip in a plastic casing with a plug soldered on

Guess I was being a little naive - was hoping that the sensors could be on the laptop i.e. same basic idea but using something other than touching the drive.

If Apple doesn't produce an expensive thumb drive, they'll make something else that is also expensive. On that score, there is little doubt. If this gets implemented.

 

[twoodcc]

seems nice. i can see where your hand might get close to it, and it unmount when you don't want it to though

 

[ActionJax]

My guess is that they intend to use this on the iPod when disc mode is enabled, not a usb key..

Good call.