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Touch Sensitive iPod Patent Pictures

hrmpf.com — Patent pictures for Apples new patent. Looks like an iPod to me.

Who dugg this? Made popular Feb 11, 2006

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  • bfbraum, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Add a stylus, definitely. And since you've got that, you can now add all sorts of text apps, like one that lets you take notes on the fly. And why not add Bluetooth / Wi-Fi while you're at it? Then you could leverage the text capacity into web browsing and e-mail!

    Hey, I just came up with a great name for this new invention: the iPaq.
  • bryant, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2The problem this presents: major smudging and scratching of the screen.
  • inactive, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1I was going to say that this was all made up at first, until I looked at official patent on the US trademark website.. This is all official stuff guys.. The plans and everything are right on there.
  • saichele, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1every negative I read about this focuses on smudging and scratching of the screen. My question is: What about battery life?! Has anyone tried watching full length movies on the 5g ipods? I have, and you're maxing out at 3 hours on the 60gig - and that's with a new battery. I can only imagine that trying to drive a screen of this size is going to create a real brick of a device due to the necessary increase in battery size.
  • stark23x, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1This is kind of a stupid design idea. If it's touch sensitive, why can't I just touch the item instead of using a "virtual" wheel? It's a completely unnecessary extra step.
  • ronaldpoi, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1People already know about this iPod... they can't hide it to much time or there wont be 5th generation sells 'cause people will be waiting until this is released... i hope they release it on April... the longer i think they could hide it is July... no more...
  • lazyguy, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1[This is kind of a stupid design idea. If it's touch sensitive, why can't I just touch the item instead of using a "virtual" wheel? It's a completely unnecessary extra step.]

    By having a virtual wheel, you free up loads more room for the screen to watch your pornogr.... media content on.
  • Warakana, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Put the wheel on the back let it overlay on the screen. It would be awesome!!!!!!
  • buckaroo, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Carpal. Tunnel. Syndrome.

    but it'll be fun to use just the same :-)
  • Shawn1141, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Hey James maybe next time you'll log off beofre you post the link lol
  • Atomic1fire, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0its an iwar against the nintendo ds
  • manoftheisland, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0good eyes hollimer
  • nmcglennon, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Looks more like a tablet to me...
  • SyDIGG, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0I have a feeling this multi-touch screen function will be available and will be the main feature in Leopard 10.5
  • diggnationdevon, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0I hate the fact that I just got the iPod-video 30GB for christmas and now they release this. But hopefully they do something to prevent scratches because I can't stand it.
  • nmcglennon, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Also, just because Apple patents something doesn't mean it will necessarily PRODUCE it. Remember their patent on wireless iPod transmission? Still waiting on that...

    I've patented things that I never intend to produce as well... like my idea for self-lighting cigarettes... ;)
  • hollimer, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0am i the only one that noticed that a clockwise motion on the wheel makes it scroll up, not down? man, that would take some getting used to.
  • burtonair, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Not an ipod. A universal control for the upcoming media center. Just like the sonos wireless controller (but better).
  • ehmjay, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0i say tablet pc. that looks way too large to be an iPod
  • juggertehnut, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0http://gallery.ilounge.com/ipod/albums/userpics/new%20mac3.jpg
  • inactive, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Oh crap.. Now for another iPod.. I would for Apple to wait just a little while with releasing the iPods.. It is so hard to be able to afford a new one every few months.
  • ompalaster, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Grr... they keep adding more and more features, but apparently, OGG Vorbis support is not important to them. :(
  • galactus, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0I'm not in the least bit excited about this thing if it's an iPod. It's officially OVERKILL
  • shiftless, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Can't wait to keep washing my screen

    This is an OCD NIGHTMARE
  • macko, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0I think those pics look more like a tablet PC than anything. The hand size compared to the picture is way too small to be a iPod...but I did see the pics of the supposedly new iPod and it's impressive, but I have to wonder how they'll be able to keep the screen from getting smudged or scratched, considering it'll be for watching videos.
  • felchdonkey, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0To each and every person who complained about it being "just a touch screen" - you really failed to RTFA.

    No, it's not about just having a touch screen "like my Palm," and a stylus would NOT help. It's a multi-touch screen, allowing for a whole range of gestures and actions not available before. For a great example of how this will work, check out the video posted a few days ago on Digg: http://mrl.nyu.edu/~jhan/ftirtouch/

    I'm always amazed at how backwards people are on "tech" sites. No one ever seems to understand innovation, usability, or anything other than overclocked video cards. Think, THEN speak.
  • iSamurai, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0The wheel seems like it will get in the way, especially with your finger. If you're going to be using an iTunes and iPhoto interface we can just use normal scroll bars. kthnx
  • drewfer, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0as for the problem of smudging, why dont they have some sort of thumb cover for your finger, an iThumb

    Anyway what would be awsome is music sharing over WiFi kind of like iTunes
  • geronimo, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0this is probably related to how Jobs berated the CEO of Sonos for stealing his ipod interface, he now is trying to get his ducks in order.

  • grayapple, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0It's been posted a jillion times on the frontpage
  • snypa, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0that would be one sick idea. i would def get one if they released it.
  • weiran, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Hmm... what would make this a killer is Apple integrated PDA functionality with this too, it has the screen for it now.
  • AggieTales, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0@buxx
    actually as i'm sitting here typing this on my PowerBook, the buttons are in the same place as they are on a Mac, granted a little bit bigger, but still like a Mac interface(ie on the upper-left for those who've never seen OS X as compared to Windows which has them on the upper-right)

    Also, I know this may never actually come out, but it would be sweet if it did.

    plus the battery solution is out there. I have a Palm LifeDrive, which has a healthy screen size, forgot exactly how much, plus a HD built in. With it I'm able to watch mp4 content for like 6 hrs or so, that not theoretical or anything, I've actually watched around 3 and a half movies, reading them off the HD, on it for about 6 hours with about 30% battery remaining.
  • utdiscant, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0well i cant see why they would change the way to scroll the wheel suddenly. and that design is just soo stupid
  • penguindude15, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0I am thinking new computer. It would be able to have an ipod in it and stuff. Like a low end computer. A computer built around entertainment.
  • sych0, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0whoa! totally digging the itunes like interface. And as one guy pointed out the close minimize and maximize buttons are in the wrong location, but on the iphoto like interface theyre correct.
  • frankg, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0I've got a solution to the battery life problem: bring back the mechanical scroll wheel and connect it to a generator. Voila! As much juice as you are willing to work for.
  • djhifisi, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Two scroll wheels? I can barely handle one.
  • eaasness, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0I might actually by an iPod, if this really happens.
  • imtigger2, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0OMFG!! What would REALLY be cool is to have a few buttons on the case to the right, and maybe a small 'stick' or something on the right... to play video games!! PERFECT!! With that killer 16x9 screen, and with the ability to play video, and music and some applications and video games, OH MAN!! What about connecting to the frickin' INTERNET AS WELL!! WOW!!

    Oh... wait... I'm thinking about my PSP again.. silly me.
  • buxx, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0No way these are real patent pictures from Apple.
    Look at the 3 buttons in the top right of the iTunes like application, tat is the place where Widows put them. If Apple is drawing an picture for patenting an new product, they definitely not use an Windows interface tot explain the working of it.
  • diggon, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Before seeing those pictures I thought they should leave the iPod interface be. Why fix something that isn't broken? However, with that virtual scroll wheel idea it may not be half bad.
  • expensix, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0The iPod Patent pictures remind me of the scene in Minority Report. John Anderton (Tom Cruise) is in the apparment, looking for Leo Crow. He threatens the guy behind the desk, asking to use the computer. Now when John uses the touch-screen monitor, he scrolls through the list of people listed in the appartment. I always thought this was interesting, and now the next iPod could have this feature.
  • Bromskloss, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0I HATE patents!
  • inkswamp, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0> Apple fanboys make it seem like everything Apple does is
    > unique, and that they invented it. I don't agree though. No Digg

    Wow! Just wow! Back on your meds, dude.

    (And is it too much to ask that you Apple-haters actually read the article and understand what you're talking about before going all frothy-mouthed about it?)
  • skyfox2k, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Could they make the touch screen 'click' by pulsing the display or a layer on the display so wherever your fingers were they would feel little bumps when spinning the wheel?
  • highride, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0www.ipodvideowidescreen.com
  • jamiem, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Doesn't really look like an iPod... more like a new Apple product.
  • utch, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1http://www.mp3buzz.net - Has a different mockup photo
  • imtigger2, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0without patents, small developers and inventors would be SCREWED. Things created by us common folks would be STOMPED on by big corps with cash coming out their whahoos.

    Reform is needed tho'. For Christs sake, someone tried to patent oxygen, as in the air we breath, and it almost went through.
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