Before people freak out, this is a patent drawing. The drawing is for explanatory purposes only. IF, and I emphasize IF Apple came out with a system based on this concept, it would go through a lot of user testing and refinement. It would look almost nothing like the drawing in the patent application.
If history tells us anything radical Patents like this generally turn out to be for something new altogether than the device noted in the patent, that is if they turn up in anything at all.
Downgrades are a bit painful with that system though.
When I get excited about a new computer it is due to what can be done with it, not as much about how it looks. A new GPU architecture, AI features, a large number of CPU cores, built in cellular data, an edge to edge micro-led screen and so on. Sure it's great if the computer looks awesome, but design takes a back seat to functionality.
So I guess you weren't a fan on the Jony Ive era where he thought it should look good first and then have functionality that was then limited by his design appearance first.
I wonder if there's some software to assist in writing patents. I found the process tedious, but I was gratified that the patent attorney we retained to submit our patents asked me, after his first review, if I had been a patent attorney in a previous career. Nope, just a high school grad, self-taught software engineer, graphical & U/X, business logic and database designer, technical writer, project manager, company cofounder, business analyst, and apparently, patent author.
I can imagine some tools that would walk an engineer through the process of thoroughly covering all aspects of describing an invention and the process of deconstructing it into claims, along with a very good search engine overlay to vet the invention against prior art, compile references, etc. Such must already exist, yes?
When I get excited about a new computer it is due to what can be done with it, not as much about how it looks. A new GPU architecture, AI features, a large number of CPU cores, built in cellular data, an edge to edge micro-led screen and so on. Sure it's great if the computer looks awesome, but design takes a back seat to functionality.
So I guess you weren't a fan on the Jony Ive era where he thought it should look good first and then have functionality that was then limited by his design appearance first.
That era probably did not exist.
Sure, there were some products that were designed around a tech roadmap that failed to materialize, but that’s not some intent on Ive’s part. It’s a failure of tech partners at that time. Hence Apple Silicon.
Just because Ive could combine great function with terrific form does not mean he sacrificed one over the other. His Macs and other devices are renown for functionality as well as looking good while doing their thing. The two products or so that some haters like to point to are a much bigger story than Ive’s involvement.
I wonder if there's some software to assist in writing patents. I found the process tedious, but I was gratified that the patent attorney we retained to submit our patents asked me, after his first review, if I had been a patent attorney in a previous career. Nope, just a high school grad, self-taught software engineer, graphical & U/X, business logic and database designer, technical writer, project manager, company cofounder, business analyst, and apparently, patent author.
I can imagine some tools that would walk an engineer through the process of thoroughly covering all aspects of describing an invention and the process of deconstructing it into claims, along with a very good search engine overlay to vet the invention against prior art, compile references, etc. Such must already exist, yes?
It’s amazing to me how the self-taught end up being the innovators and the teachers of others. That’s some experience you have there.
In five seconds I can conceive a better iMac and could release this year: same design as iMac but bit thicker to allow all ports in rear. Make stand height adjustable. Put MagSafe iPhone charger in the stand and allow 18W charging even when iMac is in sleep mode or fully shut down. Wired Apple Keyboard “Pro” with hub of ports for close by convenience.
No clue. This is one that was breathtakingly stupid the first time around, and now is still just as stupid.
No sane person wants a desktop computer with an attached keyboard. Even if you think it looks cool (and it doesn't) it's going to be a service nightmare. Keyboards attract drinks. And now you don't just need a new keyboard. Liquid spills destroy more laptops than any other cause.
At least with the Apple ][ the keyboard was high enough off the desk surface that spills were unlikely to get to it, and if they did it was far enough from the logic board that it would probably not destroy the computer - and it wasn't that hard to replace. Knowing Apple's current bad design, they'd probably put the logic board under the keyboard to ensure maximum damage.
In five seconds I can conceive a better iMac and could release this year: same design as iMac but bit thicker to allow all ports in rear. Make stand height adjustable. Put MagSafe iPhone charger in the stand and allow 18W charging even when iMac is in sleep mode or fully shut down. Wired Apple Keyboard “Pro” with hub of ports for close by convenience.
I am hoping the entire Mac would be embedded in glass, including the display and circuitry. Reminiscent of the original iMac but with a modern take. the ports would stick from the side. You would see the wiring and all. Of course no upgrade possible, which is where the consumer market is headed anyways.
Ughhh. No good! How in the world would anyone want a screen that close to the keyboard. The Mac Book is portable and one deals with it, but never in an iMac, a system. I'll just keep upgrading my old iMac if this new glass design as all that's available from Apple.
Comments
Downgrades are a bit painful with that system though.
LOL
Thats actually pretty funny.
Stan Lee and Jack Kirby….
This article was originally posted on January 24, 2020...