What is Apple Planning on Making with this 3x3cm Touch Screen?

[headfuzz]

Note that the copyright date on the cable is 2009, so whatever it is, it's been in development for at least 7 months, probably considerably more...

 

[DJ Dilbert]

new design

Maybe it's an iTouch Nano....I've always suspected that they might make a Nano version of the iTouch. Heck there still is an iPod Classic and a Nano version of it. Why not make a Nano version of the Touch?

 

[DJ Dilbert]

Dick Tracy watch. *Except the idea has already been taken.

Apple could do it better though. With retina display - facetime on your wrist.

Sounds like something out of Knight Rider


**Bring Back the 2008 Series!!!! lol

 

[EnigMoiD]

It's the remote control input for Apple's new TV.

I thought the same thing!! That would be really cool. Watch the remote have no buttons except for that little touch screen...

 

[Veinticinco]

1. It isn't a touchscreen. Even if it is (as per the FM radio chip in the iPhone), it won't be utilised as such.

2. Very strongly suspect it is part of the much-rumoured design for a in-licensed new Apple AV interface (factory option only) for a certain large but uncool German car manufacturer whose own shockingly awful attempt to design a similar AV interface (ironically infringing on Apple's ubiquitous 'i' moniker) was universally derided.

It is also with at least one other German but much cooler rival maker for consideration, but uptake is largely dependent on the development lifecycle of their own superb propietary hardware and software interface.

God knows what Mercedes are doing though, who cares. Apart from bastardising such an iconic classic as the 350SL Gullwing for that SLS abomination of course

 

[peterdevries]

Bring on the "it's just a tiny iPod Touch" comments similar to the "it's just a giant iPod Touch" comments in the iPad threads..

 

[LazersGoPEWPEW]

It's a new fingerprint scanner.

 

[Veinticinco]

Note that the copyright date on the cable is 2009, so whatever it is, it's been in development for at least 7 months, probably considerably more...

Considerably more is right. Early 2008 I believe.

 

[polaris20]

The iWatch is finnaly here!

I would most definitely buy that.

 

[peterdevries]

I'm not buying it if it isn't widescreen. There is no way I'm going to watch my ripped Bluray Avatar DVD on a screen that is not widescreen.

 

[zed]

At first I thought the headline said 3 x 3 inches and I was thinking that this would make a great trackpad for a macbook pro. Imagine what would be possible with that.....

 

[bbydon]

View finder for the front facing camera on the iPod touch. So when you turn it around to take a picture you can see what you are taking a picture of.

Im just repeating what i said earlier.

 

[bli625]

Touch screen on MacBook Pro trackpad?

 

[Orisons]

3x3 screen

I am hoping it is a new remote for an apple tv reboot. The remote interface like harmony remotes that is pre programmable for multiple devices. Tv, blu Ray av receiver etc

 

[gelry]

Maybe part of the rumored heart rate monitor? So like a watch?

 

[wobudong]

Mind control insert. Press screen once for "yes," twice for "no."







Placement through ear canal or nose.
Tap forefinger on either temple to activate.

 

[chim9999]

my first thought is something to do with fingerprints.

 

[catracho]

fingerprint recognition for the new macbooks pro

 

[iMichaela]

Ohh that makes sense now. I thought the headline said 3x3 inches not centimeters.
It's the iWatch! Or it's NOT a touch screen!

 

[peterdevries]

Maybe part of the rumored heart rate monitor? So like a watch?

There is no rumored heart rate monitor from Apple.

 

[jouster]

Hm... so I need an iWatch because my iPod, iPhone, iPad, iEverything doesn't give me the time?

No, you don't need one for that reason. But despite this duplication of functionality, there's still a *huge* number of watches sold each year...

There are thousands of places where Apple should be hired to create touch screens ... ATMs, gas pumps, fridges, alarm clocks, cars .. The list is endless. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't have to use some crappy interface and think OMG Apple could do this so well!

You're right about the poor implementation in those spaces, but I strongly doubt Apple has any interest in them.

 

[christian_k]

The iWatch is finnaly here!

I have a GPS sports watch. The display really is about 3x3 cm, but it is a simple black / white without touch. The watch is quite bulky and somewhat complicated to use with many menu options that are operated by a few buttons only.
There are many people who use iPod shuffle / Nano when doing sports. So combining an iPod and a sports watch (GPS or Nike+) into a single device would be a good idea. And I think Apple is able to make it much cooler and easier to use than Garmin, Polar, GlobalSat etc.

Christian

 

[peterdevries]

Although I agree that Apple is great at designing electronics, hey would need to come with an incredibly great looking and functioning watch that would look similarly stylish in casual AND business situations to replace my Breitling Cosmonaute and Breitling Superocean Chrono..

The electronic watch that can beat an automatic in style and class has not been made... yet..

 

[aardwolf]

Maybe it's a replacement for the physical home button. This way, the function could be changed (think the Optimus keyboard.)

 

[newtonrj]

Back Panel Control

The display connection in the 3x3cm screen is the same as on the iPhone. THe ribbon at the bottom is for a digitizer overlay.

My guess is that this was a prototype part used to test display technology, as to keep final device screen dimensions secret.

My vote is for a Nano/iPhone/iPod touch back-panel control for your index finger. Think volume control or scrolling

-RJ