Wheel technology only on iPods?

Posted:
in Future Apple Hardware edited January 2014
Is the 'Touch wheel' and 'Click Wheel' technology patented by Apple? It could be an unique selling trigger (ease-to-use). If so, will Apple licence this technology to others (HP) or will it wait untill the iPod is the standard.

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 11
    ipodandimacipodandimac Posts: 3,273member
    Quote:

    Originally posted by BigApple

    Is the 'Touch wheel' and 'Click Wheel' technology patented by Apple? It could be an unique selling trigger (ease-to-use). If so, will Apple licence this technology to others (HP) or will it wait untill the iPod is the standard.



    the click wheel is why the ipod is so popular--its easy to use. apple would have to charge billions in licensing fees to make up for the revenue they would lose due to competitors having an easy interface.
  • Reply 2 of 11
    macsrgood4umacsrgood4u Posts: 3,007member
    HP is not licensing iPod technology. They are buying the player from Apple in a custom (steel blue) color. No need for Apple to license the wheel technology at this time. The company could use it for a universal remote at some future date... however, it would be at the high end of those devices price wise. It could also pop up in other devices in the near future including ???????
  • Reply 3 of 11
    Quote:

    Originally posted by MacsRGood4U

    HP is not licensing iPod technology. They are buying the player from Apple in a custom (steel blue) color. No need for Apple to license the wheel technology at this time. The company could use it for a universal remote at some future date... however, it would be at the high end of those devices price wise. It could also pop up in other devices in the near future including ???????



    Universal remote would be nice. Which kind of future tasks your thinking of? Showing music videos on a OLED display / TV set using Airport Express? Give us some idea ...
  • Reply 4 of 11
    cubistcubist Posts: 954member
    Quote:

    Originally posted by BigApple

    Universal remote would be nice. Which kind of future tasks your thinking of? Showing music videos on a OLED display / TV set using Airport Express? Give us some idea ...



    See this thread: http://forums.appleinsider.com/showt...threadid=44728
  • Reply 5 of 11
    Quote:

    Originally posted by MacsRGood4U

    HP is not licensing iPod technology. They are buying the player from Apple in a custom (steel blue) color. No need for Apple to license the wheel technology at this time. The company could use it for a universal remote at some future date... however, it would be at the high end of those devices price wise. It could also pop up in other devices in the near future including ???????



    The iToaster. Slot loading and then you set the heat level with the click wheel. Airport Extreme built-in, works with Airport Express. (For instant wireless bread toasting hotel rooms). Available now at $99 at the Apple Store.
  • Reply 6 of 11
    rolandgrolandg Posts: 632member
    Quote:

    Originally posted by MacsRGood4U

    The company could use it for a universal remote at some future date... however, it would be at the high end of those devices price wise.



    I have seen a company use a wheel that just looked like the iPod's on the remote for their media server/client stuff. I can't remember the name, but it was an American company from all I can recall and someone posted a link to it here a while ago.



    It resembled the Apple iStuff look so well, it should have been Apple. Especially since I think Apple should do a media server/client architecture (they almost have anything in place, they just need to integrate it).
  • Reply 7 of 11
    vox barbaravox barbara Posts: 2,021member
    Quote:

    Originally posted by monkeyastronaut

    The iToaster. Slot loading and then you set the heat level with the click wheel. Airport Extreme built-in, works with Airport Express. (For instant wireless bread toasting hotel rooms). Available now at $99 at the Apple Store.



    Hm, this only seems to be funny, -



    - unless this iToaster creates a sudden loss of brain function caused by a blockage or rupture of a blood vessel to the brain.



    You know Rev A gadgets usually have a lot of annoying bugs, even iToasters.
  • Reply 8 of 11
    rolandgrolandg Posts: 632member
    Quote:

    Originally posted by Vox Barbara

    Hm, this only seems to be funny, -



    - unless this iToaster creates a sudden loss of brain function caused by a blockage or rupture of a blood vessel to the brain.



    You know Rev A gadgets usually have a lot of annoying bugs, even iToasters.




    As long as your bread is evenly toasted, who cares?



    If it could transfer some butter and jam or some cream cheese or some cold-cuts or whatever you like for breakfast over Airport Extreme, that would be - uhhmmm - delicious.



    Maybe it could toast the Apple logo onto your slices of bread.
  • Reply 9 of 11
    Quote:

    Originally posted by tonton

    Imagine a five-button plus wheel mouse. In my version, the wheel would be on the side (yeah, it would be ugly) and you would click with your thumb.





    Only if you are right-handed.



    Hope Springs Eternal,



    Mandricard

    AppleOutsider
  • Reply 10 of 11
    Quote:

    Originally posted by Vox Barbara

    Hm, this only seems to be funny, -



    - unless this iToaster creates a sudden loss of brain function caused by a blockage or rupture of a blood vessel to the brain.



    You know Rev A gadgets usually have a lot of annoying bugs, even iToasters.




    Yeah, the Rev A will need a battery replacement in about 18 months of usage.
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