Apple filings reveal potential iPod redesigns
A recent series of design filings made by Apple Computer suggests the company may have intentions of abandoning its Click-Wheel interface in future versions of its iPod digital music players.
In January of 2006, Apple successfully registered a total of 10 new iPod interface designs with a European trademark and design office. They depict versions of both the iPod nano and fifth-generation video iPod not yet released by the company.
First published in March, the visual designs are each credited to Andre K. Bartley, a well known Apple interface designer also named in several other iPod-related patent filings made in both United States and Europe. Since the latest filings strictly cover visual design, they are not accompanied descriptive data.
The designs
Two of the most eye-catching designs are based on Apple's current iPod nano enclosure:
In one of the design sketches, the Click-Wheel has been replaced by a keypad layout that strongly resembles a traditional mobile handset (or cell phone). Just below the nano's screen is a circular navigation pad, flanked by two input buttons (traditionally these are the "connect" and "disconnect" buttons on a cell phone). Below these controls is a keypad layout consisting of what appears to be 12 numeric keys, which also coincides with the keypad layout of traditional cell phones.
The second iPod nano design includes only a display and a what appears to be a 4-way directional pad like those found on the game controllers that shipped with original Nintendo Entertainment Systems back in 1985.
Apple's filings also include four additional designs based on the iPod nano, each of which includes a navigational interface unlike anything shipping on an iPod today. One appears to sport a square Apple TrackPad while another employs an elongated scroll strip with a rounded top and base. The third and fourth designs include some unknown form of elliptical controller.
Meanwhile, two other designs -- one for an iPod nano and one for a fifth-generation iPod -- are also shown with scroll strip rather than a Click-Wheel. However, in these versions, Apple depicts a rectangular strip without the rounded top and base.
The last two design filings simply show an iPod nano and a fifth-generation video iPod with a display screen and nothing more. The designs may have something to due with an iPod audio interface patent filed earlier this year. In that filing, Apple described a voice-activated menu navigation system that would allow users to control their iPods through speech commands and without the need for a traditional navigational interface.
In January of 2006, Apple successfully registered a total of 10 new iPod interface designs with a European trademark and design office. They depict versions of both the iPod nano and fifth-generation video iPod not yet released by the company.
First published in March, the visual designs are each credited to Andre K. Bartley, a well known Apple interface designer also named in several other iPod-related patent filings made in both United States and Europe. Since the latest filings strictly cover visual design, they are not accompanied descriptive data.
The designs
Two of the most eye-catching designs are based on Apple's current iPod nano enclosure:
In one of the design sketches, the Click-Wheel has been replaced by a keypad layout that strongly resembles a traditional mobile handset (or cell phone). Just below the nano's screen is a circular navigation pad, flanked by two input buttons (traditionally these are the "connect" and "disconnect" buttons on a cell phone). Below these controls is a keypad layout consisting of what appears to be 12 numeric keys, which also coincides with the keypad layout of traditional cell phones.
The second iPod nano design includes only a display and a what appears to be a 4-way directional pad like those found on the game controllers that shipped with original Nintendo Entertainment Systems back in 1985.
Apple's filings also include four additional designs based on the iPod nano, each of which includes a navigational interface unlike anything shipping on an iPod today. One appears to sport a square Apple TrackPad while another employs an elongated scroll strip with a rounded top and base. The third and fourth designs include some unknown form of elliptical controller.
Meanwhile, two other designs -- one for an iPod nano and one for a fifth-generation iPod -- are also shown with scroll strip rather than a Click-Wheel. However, in these versions, Apple depicts a rectangular strip without the rounded top and base.
The last two design filings simply show an iPod nano and a fifth-generation video iPod with a display screen and nothing more. The designs may have something to due with an iPod audio interface patent filed earlier this year. In that filing, Apple described a voice-activated menu navigation system that would allow users to control their iPods through speech commands and without the need for a traditional navigational interface.
Comments
I believe the first "????" nano is a typical scroll-thingy you can find on some phones. Like a scroll-wheel on a mouse, just a bit wider.
Especially the strip and plus designs. (Creative and Toshiba I think)
Couldn't they just be Apple protecting itself from potential CLONE makers?
I don't think Apple is likely to consider dropping the very easy clickwheel for the sake of some lesser interface already used by other companies.
Originally posted by nagromme
Is there any reason to think these are for potential Apple products at all?
Couldn't they just be Apple protecting itself from potential CLONE makers?
I don't think Apple is likely to consider dropping the very easy clickwheel for the sake of some lesser interface already used by other companies.
i agree. which is why "news" like this is more wasted space and time than baseless rumors. move along. although i am quite disappointed in AI for this...
Originally posted by SpamSandwich
Hmm.... iPhone nano... I hadn't thought of that before.
That's exactly what I've been waiting for...FOR THE LAST YEAR!
Please Apple for the sake of all that is good and right in this world!
I've been putting off buying a phone for more than a year, hoping beyond hope that Apple will do the obvious smart thing...iPhone.
Originally posted by blackbird_1.0
I like the "Phone", "Controller", and "Trackpad" designs.
The trackpad design might just be the PDA I've been waiting for.
However, I agree with the person who said this might be just to head potential clone-makers off at the pass.
Originally posted by Johnny Mozzarella
That's exactly what I've been waiting for...FOR THE LAST YEAR!
Please Apple for the sake of all that is good and right in this world!
I've been putting off buying a phone for more than a year, hoping beyond hope that Apple will do the obvious smart thing...iPhone.
You and a billion others.
Originally posted by AppleInsider
The last two design filings simply show an iPod nano and a fifth-generation video iPod with a display screen and nothing more. The designs may have something to due with an iPod audio interface patent filed earlier this year. In that filing, Apple described a voice-activated menu navigation system that would allow users to control their iPods through speech commands and without the need for a traditional navigational interface.
Didn't some other company basically prove a few months ago that the voice control concept was worthless? I think it was at a trade show, I think either Intel or Microsoft was demonstrating a "no button" HTPC remote.
Originally posted by JeffDM
Didn't some other company basically prove a few months ago that the voice control concept was worthless? I think it was at a trade show, I think either Intel or Microsoft was demonstrating a "no button" HTPC remote.
Ironically, it was Apple's best buddy intel.
The problems were mostly due to the poor acoustics in the auditorium where the demonstration was given.
...besides, how well did speech recognition work the last time you tried it?
"iPod, play dangerdoom, the mouse and the mask"
mmmm, i'm sorry, i didn't get that, it sounds like you said "clay ranger boom them house hanna ask"