SlashGear Japan
If filing for patents wasn’t such a pain in the ass, I’d be starting to wonder whether Apple was thinking up new “could it be a touchscreen iPod?!” concepts and putting them through the system just to keep people’s anticipation high. Seriously, they must have their patent lawyers as number one speed-dial. The latest to emerge from Cupertino is what looks like a small-form-factor device predominantly taken up by a display, the edge bezel of which is touch and scroll sensitive.
Hot-spots around the edge relate to particular functions as displayed on-screen; for instance in the picture above the transport controls at the top of the display are mapped to three virtual “buttons” on the top bezel, while the entire left side is a scroll bar and the right side is used for specific track selection.
The concept also has sensors inside which monitors its orientation, rotating what’s displayed on-screen appropriately. As usual, Apple are keeping their options open in the patent as to what exactly this could all be used for:
“In one example, the electronic device 100 can be a picture frame having memory for storing digital pictures and for viewing on the display 110. In another example, the electronic device 100 can be a digital media device having the display 110, the touch sensitive bezel 120, and lacking most or all buttons or similar physical controls on the housing 52. In other examples, the electronic device 100 can be an electronic game, a personal digital assistant, a multimedia device, a cellular telephone, a portable video player, a portable navigation device, or the like.”
Leaving aside the fact that whoever created these drawings doesn’t know how to spell “FRIENDS” (um, “i before e”, Apple), could this be the music-centric Apple cellphone so many are expecting early next year? Or perhaps it’s a reinvention of the iPod, this time with a wide-screen display to satisfy those with poor eyesight?
19 Responses to “Apple dumps Scroll-Wheel, replaces with Scroll-Strips?”
Bruce Anderson October 27, 2006
Oh, I love it. Every time Apple files a patent, someone gloms onto it and waves it around like it’s the gospel truth about what’s coming out next. That’s the source of that blasted “touchscreen” iPod rumour, and I guess now we’ll have ANOTHER one to contend with.
Corporations routinely patent lots of stuff they might not ever use, just because they know it might make them money someday. It’s the way of things. So before anyone gets his knickers in a twist, remember this is just a patent filing. It’s not promotional material.
Neutralobm October 27, 2006
It looks like a cheap replacement for a touchscreen, instead of a full blown one, only the edges are active. This could only be an ipod, and I think Apple is trying to counter sexier than ever PMP with lower priced unit.
NeutralVincent Nguyen October 27, 2006
Interesting concept…but not thanks. I agree with obm, it’s a poor man’s replacement for a touchscreen. Booo.
NeutralChris Davies October 27, 2006
Actually, I quite like it – think of the fun you could have playing pong!
NeutralBenjamin Nied October 27, 2006
A sort-of touchscreen like this would make sense given Apple’s view on aethestics; your iPod would look much, much nicer without you putting your fingerprints all over the entire screen. After the whole “Our nanos scratch too easily” fiasco, Apple could very well just be playing it safe to avoid the “there are fingerprints on my 6G iPod” lawsuit.
NeutralMister D October 27, 2006
Awesome, awesome navigation idea! bring it on!
NeutralOz Maile October 27, 2006
The title of this is typical … click bait.
Neutral1 Apple isnt droping click wheels from all it ipods but will most likely for a full screen ipod with vide or an Music/Phote/PDF/Phone…. where screen real estate is a must for simple operation
2 In this case for all reports this is not just a corp. patent grab. This solves a real problem
3 interesting spin “cheap replacement for a full touch screen”. Rarely does apple cheap out on a design concept, if they need a lower price point they wait to introduce the product. THE reason is simple; HOW can you have a great viewing experice for video or photos if you just touched the touch screen with your greasy fingers . unless it comes with an ihanky and then the act of cleaning the screen sets of more touch sensitive areas …
Josh October 27, 2006
Touch-screens make no sense due to one word:
Fingerprints.
People bitch and complain enough about the current iPod’s smudges and scratches, wait until the screen is the human interface device. I’d be really surprised if Apple came out with a touch screen iPod. Ever.
NeutralVincent Nguyen October 27, 2006
Two words – screen protector. Touch screen is way of the future whether we like it or not. I’ve seen the future….Onyx Concept phone.
I’ll bet the farm it.
NeutralJustin October 28, 2006
I don’t like it. And really, it goes against Apple’s ease of use fundimentals. Right now the iPod has ALL of it’s controls in one small area, and anything I want to do with the ipod, I can do with very minimal movement. But with this, everything is in a different spot. If I want to change the song or pause/play, I have to go to the very top edge. but if I then want to change the volume, I have to travel all the way to the very bottom. then finding another song, I have to stretch my thumb to an even more uncomfortable place. Then to scroll or whatever (depending on which hand I’m holding the iPod with) my hand will actually be covering the screen. And Apple can’t be serious if they want people to have to use TWO hands to control the iPod. talk about a HUGE step backwards. It seems cool and futuristic, but it’s just not practical. Maybe if it was like this on a nano sized iPod it might work.. but I don’t know.
NeutralJustin October 28, 2006
Then again, I doubt anything will become of it.. Apple seems to patent every little idea they come up with. Sometimes it seems just to screw with people.
NeutralJB October 28, 2006
How do you hold it without pressing all the buttons on the sides?
NeutralTbone October 28, 2006
Hey, can anyone say lawsuit? Iriver already has the same design and inteface for their Clix
NeutralVincent Nguyen October 28, 2006
The T-Mobile Dash (HTC Excalibur) has a similar jog strip located top right of the device. It’s used for volume control – and I must say it’s very annoying. It’s very easy to accidentally activate it when left on, and useless when turned off. Boo on the design.
NeutralSkulker October 28, 2006
Hi, my name is Skulker and I like Pepto Bismol.
NeutralAPPLEcore October 28, 2006
[quote comment="5125"]I don’t like it. And really, it goes against Apple’s ease of use fundimentals. Right now the iPod has ALL of it’s controls in one small area, and anything I want to do with the ipod, I can do with very minimal movement. But with this, everything is in a different spot. If I want to change the song or pause/play, I have to go to the very top edge. but if I then want to change the volume, I have to travel all the way to the very bottom. then finding another song, I have to stretch my thumb to an even more uncomfortable place. Then to scroll or whatever (depending on which hand I’m holding the iPod with) my hand will actually be covering the screen. And Apple can’t be serious if they want people to have to use TWO hands to control the iPod. talk about a HUGE step backwards. It seems cool and futuristic, but it’s just not practical. Maybe if it was like this on a nano sized iPod it might work.. but I don’t know.[/quote]
I agree with every word.
NeutralI think Im gonna take a... November 1, 2006
zune on Nov 14, and forget about the 6g for now!!
NeutralRobo playa June 7, 2007
try the Sansa e280!
its amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)
NeutralNoah June 25, 2008
It’s funny to read all these old comments now that the iPhone and iPod Touch have been out for almost a year.
Neutral