Apple patent application reveals wireless iPod
Analysts don't foresee an Apple iPod with wireless capabilities emerging anytime soon, but a newly obtained document provides incontrovertible evidence that the company has been experimenting with wireless iPods for nearly two years.
A patent application submitted to the United States Patent and Trademark Office, and recently obtained by AppleInsider, appears to portray an Apple iPod with wireless capabilities, including the ability to broadcast music to other devices.
The document's abstract begins, "One aspect of the media player system pertains to a docking station that allows a media player to communicate with other media devices. Another aspect of the media player system pertains to a wireless media player system that includes a hand held media player capable of transmitting information over a wireless connection and one or more media devices capable of receiving information over the wireless connection. Another aspect of the media player system pertains to a method of wirelessly connecting the hand held media player to another device. The method includes selecting a media item on the hand held media player; selecting one or more remote recipients on the hand held media player; and transmitting the media item locally to the hand held media player, and wirelessly to the selected remote recipients."
View the patent application in its entirety.
The document goes on to describe an iPod that can wirelessly transmit music and other information to other media systems: "Another aspect of the media player system pertains to a hand held music player that includes a transmitter for transmitting information over a wireless connection. The transmitter is configured to at least transmit a continuous music feed to one or more personal tuning devices that each include a receiver capable of receiving information from the transmitter over the wireless connection. Yet another aspect of the media player system pertains to a connector that includes a housing and a plurality of spatially separated contacts mounted within the housing. A first set of contacts are directed at a first functionality and a second set of contacts are directed at a second functionality that is different than the first functionality."
Apple filed for the patent on April 25, 2003. The document credits the technology to Anthony Fadell, Stephen Zadesky, and John Benjamin.
Earlier this year, AppleInsider noted that Apple was seeking a new member for its iPod hardware engineering division that was experienced in integrating both various wireless communication technologies as well as video.
A patent application submitted to the United States Patent and Trademark Office, and recently obtained by AppleInsider, appears to portray an Apple iPod with wireless capabilities, including the ability to broadcast music to other devices.
The document's abstract begins, "One aspect of the media player system pertains to a docking station that allows a media player to communicate with other media devices. Another aspect of the media player system pertains to a wireless media player system that includes a hand held media player capable of transmitting information over a wireless connection and one or more media devices capable of receiving information over the wireless connection. Another aspect of the media player system pertains to a method of wirelessly connecting the hand held media player to another device. The method includes selecting a media item on the hand held media player; selecting one or more remote recipients on the hand held media player; and transmitting the media item locally to the hand held media player, and wirelessly to the selected remote recipients."
View the patent application in its entirety.
The document goes on to describe an iPod that can wirelessly transmit music and other information to other media systems: "Another aspect of the media player system pertains to a hand held music player that includes a transmitter for transmitting information over a wireless connection. The transmitter is configured to at least transmit a continuous music feed to one or more personal tuning devices that each include a receiver capable of receiving information from the transmitter over the wireless connection. Yet another aspect of the media player system pertains to a connector that includes a housing and a plurality of spatially separated contacts mounted within the housing. A first set of contacts are directed at a first functionality and a second set of contacts are directed at a second functionality that is different than the first functionality."
Apple filed for the patent on April 25, 2003. The document credits the technology to Anthony Fadell, Stephen Zadesky, and John Benjamin.
Earlier this year, AppleInsider noted that Apple was seeking a new member for its iPod hardware engineering division that was experienced in integrating both various wireless communication technologies as well as video.
Comments
I foresee headphones (Bluetooth?) that receive the broadcast from the iPod.
No more having your buds unceremoniously yanked out of your ears...
Originally posted by coolfactor
Makes ya wonder how well existing media players with wireless capabilities are selling. If they were a hot product, Apple would have their own out by now, so they've been waiting for demand, or potential demand.
I didn't know there where already media players that could transmit wirelessly. If Apple offere this, people would definately buy it. Especially since Apple needs to keep the cool factor going with each revision.
I didn't think Bluetooth range was all that great, but I guess still good enough for earphones.
Coming soon...
Originally posted by Boukman
With Bluetooth, you could not only transmit the sound to wireless headphones, but also to a bluetooth-equipped radio (Bluetooth could be included in car radios for instance). You could also make a way for the radio to control the iPod wirelessly through Bluetooth while you're at it. And there are all kinds of other interesting applications I won't mention that could see the light of day...
Yeah, sure, bluetooth included in cars. That'll be the day. Hell, only a minority of cars sell with Radios that have easily accessible (if any) line input jack.
Oh, and a bluetooth enabled iPod. Wonder how long that battery will last. Two hours (new) to 15 minutes (used), probably
Originally posted by ct77
A wireless iPod would be a nice addition for "active" users (ie. when running, working out, etc.)
I foresee headphones (Bluetooth?) that receive the broadcast from the iPod.
No more having your buds unceremoniously yanked out of your ears...
one company already makes a bluetooth headset for the iPod. i'll find the link later (its in a magazine).
Originally posted by Louzer
Yeah, sure, bluetooth included in cars. That'll be the day. Hell, only a minority of cars sell with Radios that have easily accessible (if any) line input jack.
Oh, and a bluetooth enabled iPod. Wonder how long that battery will last. Two hours (new) to 15 minutes (used), probably
I'm not talking about the cheap basic radios, but aftermarket ones (Alpine, etc.) or radios in upper end cars (BMW, etc.)
And for your info, Bluetooth is a low-power wireless technology. The newer spec is even supposed to use less energy than the present one, while allowing more bandwith. Some mice last weeks on a set of batteries right now, so an iPod with good battery time would still be possible.
I think it's great to learn that Apple is doing more than meets the eye. I agree the iPod saga is getting worn out in terms of being exciting, and I wonder what amazing new product Apple will release in 2005, if that's possible (they always surprise us... remember how nobody knew about the Airport Express?)
Originally posted by coolfactor
Wow, two people compaining about this being another iPod article. That's interesting. And they even took the time to tell the world that they weren't impressed. Hmmm.
You're right, we shouldn't complain, the iPod is the only thing keeping Apple alive.
Originally posted by the cool gut
I didn't think Bluetooth range was all that great, but I guess still good enough for earphones.
10 meters I think? Thats quite nice..
But after all, the question is, Bluetooth or Airport? Personally I'd vote for Airport...
Originally posted by ineedag5pbnow
why???just why would u want a wireless iPod...honestly, whoever said that before is right...im sick of iPod rumors, i wanna hear about computers...apple is getting off course...
Apple is a business...a business with skills in creating devices that combine digital and analog hardware, great software, elegant design and terrific human touch. This need not be limited to "computers".
hmmmmmm...
i could see ipod "gatherings" where everyone samples each others music. btw i FINALLY got to actually use an ipod photo yesterday at best buy, and lemme tell ya, it felt PERFECT in my hands with a much better screen than the regular 4g ipod...
Originally posted by BRussell
The only thing that makes sense to me at this point is putting wireless in a dock rather than the iPod itself. There'd be no extra junk in the iPod itself that you wouldn't need, but you could link the docked iPod to your wireless home network to add music to the iPod and to stream to your airtunes stereo directly from the iPod rather than just iTunes.
Actually, thats also what the patent says.