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Apple Receives Patent for Touch-Sensitive Bezel for Portable Devices
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Agree with others,
a) good idea, but not novel
b) border on iPad is too wide
Apps could have beginner and expert modes, in beginner purpose would be transparent, in expert mode you'd just have a line where the active area is.
Definitly needed for the small iPhone screen.
Then we need an app to predefine areas for macros.
a) good idea, but not novel
b) border on iPad is too wide
Apps could have beginner and expert modes, in beginner purpose would be transparent, in expert mode you'd just have a line where the active area is.
Definitly needed for the small iPhone screen.
Then we need an app to predefine areas for macros.
How is that "doing this before?" The ipod had fixed-location/fixed-size buttons that didn't change function, size, or location based on what was on-screen.
I had been waiting for apple to implement this in iPhone/iPods ever since I read about it on MR years ago (that was even before iPhone was announced). It could be really useful in games which use on screen floating dual sticks. That way your thumbs wont cover the screen anymore.
Dated patent is dated.
Before multi-touch screens, this might have been an interesting patent. But now, it seems like it would only be useful for something like a touch-sensitive back, and even that could get annoying if you were used to holding the device a different way. It would also probably take up space inside the device and be underused.
(Of course many cellphones use something like this with touch-sensitive buttons that are flush with the bezel, but I don't think that's what Apple had in mind.)
Before multi-touch screens, this might have been an interesting patent. But now, it seems like it would only be useful for something like a touch-sensitive back, and even that could get annoying if you were used to holding the device a different way. It would also probably take up space inside the device and be underused.
(Of course many cellphones use something like this with touch-sensitive buttons that are flush with the bezel, but I don't think that's what Apple had in mind.)
My guess is that there'll be a "command key" or "live button" to press/cover before the other buttons are able to activate. Might be subtle printing (e.g. gray on black background) as to function.
I imagine that the bezel would not use simple "touch to activate things" gestures. It would be activated accidentally.
For example, on the Pre, one can touch the black bezel area then drag up onto the screen. This is a gesture that would not be accidentally activated easily. If the iPad/iPhone/iPod Touch ever get multitasking in the future, this would be a sweet way to say, activate Exposé (or some equivalent). A touch-sensitive bezel, if done properly, would be a great way to extend the input vocabulary of a touch-sensitive device and replace things normally done with a mouse and keyboard.
way back in 1883
Some guy name Wheeler with patten #272369, which presented a roll of perforated wrapping or toilet paper supported in the center with a tube.
Check it out!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toilet_paper
Some guy name Wheeler with patten #272369, which presented a roll of perforated wrapping or toilet paper supported in the center with a tube.
Check it out!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toilet_paper
not even out yet and their talking next generation.
I am becoming more and more wary of this ipad thing, it seems very much like a work in progress, rushed to production and not at all finished with regard to features that it will eventually have in the coming months/years. may be wise to wait.
I am becoming more and more wary of this ipad thing, it seems very much like a work in progress, rushed to production and not at all finished with regard to features that it will eventually have in the coming months/years. may be wise to wait.
This would be AWESOME for gaming. Especially those of the 3D shooter and side scrolling variety. Having your thumbs on the screen, obscuring what is going on is really frustrating sometimes. Since the first day I played Wolf 3D on the iPhone I knew the up and coming Apple tablet should have touch sensitive borders.
To those who are asking, what if the touch sensitive areas accidentally touched, well the answer is simple, they are only activated when the relevant apps want them to be. Same as the iPhone's main screen, if you touch that when the iPhone is in standby mode, nothing happens.
To those who are asking, what if the touch sensitive areas accidentally touched, well the answer is simple, they are only activated when the relevant apps want them to be. Same as the iPhone's main screen, if you touch that when the iPhone is in standby mode, nothing happens.
seems like the next step apple will be taking to improve their devices.
Too bad this was not in the iPad. It could have been the "wow" factor that was lacking.
Too bad this was not in the iPad. It could have been the "wow" factor that was lacking.
I can't be bothered to read through the pages of comments, but this would be great for games on the iPod, now you won't have to cover up the screen with your fingers on the games that have on-screen 'buttons', they can be moved to the edges.
My thoughts...VTC
I remember a patent Apple got on integrating the sensors for a camera into the display essentially making the whole display a camera. If that was the case, for the camera phone functionality, you would not want your fingers on the screen...this seems like a pretty clean solution. I think it would be cool if the iPad already had this tech integrated into it.
It also may be that this was just an early solution to a control assuming touch screen tech never developed into an affordable solution.
I remember a patent Apple got on integrating the sensors for a camera into the display essentially making the whole display a camera. If that was the case, for the camera phone functionality, you would not want your fingers on the screen...this seems like a pretty clean solution. I think it would be cool if the iPad already had this tech integrated into it.
It also may be that this was just an early solution to a control assuming touch screen tech never developed into an affordable solution.
If you had bothered to read them you'd see this was already mentioned. Ad was the fact that - even better for games would be actual physical buttons.