Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Wait, I thought they found a way around the smudge with the iPhone. Does this mean the iPhone is going to have smudges?
 
Wait, I thought they found a way around the smudge with the iPhone. Does this mean the iPhone is going to have smudges?

Use your brain. Of course, the iphone will have smudges!

What, did you think a tiny pair of windshield wipers with spray was going to automatically appear and wipe the screen after each use? :D
 
Use your brain. Of course, the iphone will have smudges!

What, did you think a tiny pair of windshield wipers with spray was going to automatically appear and wipe the screen after each use? :D

Wow, that was polite.

Perhaps I said this because Steve had mentioned during the keynote that they were some some material or had designed it in such a way or whatever so it wouldn't be covered in smudges.
 
I could imagine doing something like scrolling, but typing? All the 'moves' are mirror images of what we are used to.

Interesting concept though.:)
 
Funnily enough, we called this exact feature in a previous thread here. Linky

(The thread was discussing a previous Apple patent which could detect the user's finger hovering over a touch-screen, and we speculated it could be used to detect the location of the user's fingers on the back,though we guessed they'd project an outline of them onto the screen on the front so you can see which button you're about to push.)
 
I thought of it first*! :D Apple, my door is open!

How about a scroll wheel on the back of an iPod Video?

As you use the familiar circular and five-way push button mechanism on the back of the iPod, a digital version of the scroll wheel appears on the screen at the front.

This would obviously not be a full-blown user input such as a keyboard/mouse combination provides, but it could be a handy way of keeping a scroll wheel on the iPod while enlarging the screen... and avoiding greasy fingerprints.

Appleinsider said:
In one embodiment of the invention, Apple said it could incorporate the functionality of click-wheel on the device's force-sensitive touch-surface via an etched or raised outline. When the user activates the rear-side click-wheel, a navigation menu and click-wheel will be shown on the front side.

* post #141 on that thread
 
This is just a trackpad positioned on the back of the device.
I'm not sure this is innovative enough to really be patentable. If a display becomes large enough to cover an entire side of a device, where else are the controls going to go?

Edit: Ah Ha! Read the post immediately before this one: prior art (pun intended!): Patent application DENIED!
 
This is just a trackpad positioned on the back of the device. I'm not sure this is innovative enough to really be patentable.
I disagree, I think one could easily patent this, a rightly so, it's a damn good idea if it can be implemented correctly.
 
[snippet]

This is just a trackpad positioned on the back of the device.
I'm not sure this is innovative enough to really be patentable. If a display becomes large enough to cover an entire side of a device, where else are the controls going to go?

you have seen the iPhone right?
 
This would require you to hold the iPod in order to control it. I think most people spend some of their time controlling it in their pocket or on their desk. The small amount of feedback you get from the clickwheel's shape allows you to locate your finger quickly but this would be very difficult in your pocket and impossible lying on a tabletop.
 
This is stupid and will never be in a product. This is a pantent for pantents sake. The next iPod will have a UI exactly like the iPhone.
 
If you think about it though, when you use the scroll wheel on your ipod, do you look at the wheel or the screen? Personally I am not even thinking about the scroll wheel when I use the ipod. I am not sure that putting it on the back may make such a difference.

Imagine how you'd have to hold it in order to control it from the back but watch the front. It would be a pretty lame product IMO. This one's never making it past the patent stage.
 
You can find the original patent application here.

Abstract:
An electronic device uses separate surfaces for input and output. One of the surfaces (e.g., the bottom) includes a force-sensitive touch-surface through which a user provides input (e.g., cursor manipulation and control element selection). On a second surface (e.g., the top), a display element is used to present information appropriate to the device's function (e.g., video information), one or more control elements and a cursor. The cursor is controlled through manipulation of the back-side touch-surface. The cursor identifies where on the back-side touch-surface the user's finger has made contact. When the cursor is positioned over the desired control element, the user selects or activates the function associated with the control element by applying pressure to the force-sensitive touch-surface with their finger. Accordingly, the electronic device may be operated with a single hand, wherein cursor movement and control element selection may be accomplished without lifting one's finger.
 
iPod

I don't think this will work. The existing iPod is a massive hit because of the ease of use which I don't think this device has. Like someone mentioned earlier, you can't really navigate around easily as your hand will be turned over. Also, I can't imagine you can navigate around using just one hand. Also, as someone else has mentioned, what kind of case can you use? Both sides of the device needs to be exposed. Sure, a clear skin would be fine, but that might cause problems with navigation.

I think it's a good idea, but not very practical. An iPhone design looks like the best way to go until humans can evolve to turn their hands in such a way that would be easy. I personally don't see much a problem with smudges on the screen; just put the iPod on hold, wipe it and everything is fine again.
 
This would require you to hold the iPod in order to control it. I think most people spend some of their time controlling it in their pocket or on their desk. The small amount of feedback you get from the clickwheel's shape allows you to locate your finger quickly but this would be very difficult in your pocket and impossible lying on a tabletop.

Makes sense...
At least when I'm at the bus or subway I control it in my pocket :D :apple:
 
did anyone notice how screwy the letters are arranged?

not so much a weird arrangement as it is a total lack of the letter "B"! But somehow they've managed to type "The Quick B". Magic! Once again apple is hoping to be ahead of consumer demand for the letter "V" and is proactively replacing the letter "B" which will soon phased out of the english language.

edit: yeah, and I like to replace D with B as well!...ooops, the letter D is getting no love today.
 
IAlso, as someone else has mentioned, what kind of case can you use? Both sides of the device needs to be exposed. Sure, a clear skin would be fine, but that might cause problems with navigation.

Well Apple's case design would work - you take it out of the case to use it. :p
 
Apparently, in the future the popularity of the letter "D" goes down, and the letter "V" becomes so common that it is needed on the keyboard twice! Amazing!
I can't wait for the future! I vo believe it will be vownright awesome. Inveev.
 
not so much a weird arrangement as it is a total lack of the letter "B"! But somehow they've managed to type "The Quick B". Magic! Once again apple is hoping to be ahead of consumer demand for the letter "V" and is proactively replacing the letter "B" which will soon phased out of the english language.

Vamn you. I spent too much time reading and didn't refresh before posting. Is your image really showing a missing "B"? Because mine is clearly the "D".
 
Apparently, in the future the popularity of the letter "D" goes down, and the letter "V" becomes so common that it is needed on the keyboard twice! Amazing!
I can't wait for the future! I vo believe it will be vownright awesome. Inveev.

Is Ives from London? If so "I've got an iPov, brov.." sounds about right for his accent..
 
I don't see the need for the front screen you look at and the touch thing on back. Why not just use the iPhone minus the phone part? The iPhone uses the screen and input thing in the same thing, not 2 different things. Sure, it'll get smudged, but that's why we have cleaning supplies! While I understand not wanting to smudge it and the fact that your fingers might cover up some of the screen, but what about the iPhone? Would make sense to have this on both or neither, not just one.
 
Interesting design and concept. Kind of funny how the keypad image is in alphabetical order with two V's. Guess they had to rush it out.

You'd have to learn a different way to type, as on most mobile devices, since your index finger and thumb would be tied up holding the device. Would be somewhat intuitive if the space bar was touch sensitive on the front with the remaining keyboard on the back. Also, since they laid the keyboard in alphabetical order I wonder if they'd flip mirror it where the tgb are on the left and the yhn are on the right? Should be interesting.
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.