Source: Tom's Guide US | Keywords: Apple, iPhone, Nano, Patent | Themes: Audio/Video Players, Smartphones
The latest from the Apple rumor-rama is yet more talk of an iPhone Nano.
Rumors of a smaller, more compact iPhone have been doing the rounds for nearly a year. Many fans were convinced that Apple's plans to launch a $99 iPhone along with the 3GS meant a $99 iPhone Nano. When the Cupertino-based company launched the 3GS and announced that it was the 3G that would be selling for $99, the iPhone Nano rumors died down and took a break for nearly two months.
Today Geek.com cites a patent filing with the U.S. Patents & Trademark Office which details a dual-sided, touch sensitive device that uses one side for display and the touch-sensitive back-side of the device for controlling the UI.
MacNN describes it as sophisticated, yet complicated and we'd say that's an understatement. For example, the back of the device is force-sensitive touch, meaning it not only detects touch but also how hard you're pressing. Figures 3A and 3B show a click-wheel-like function on the back of the device with the LCD display on the front showing a menu. Users slide their fingers around on the back to select functions on the click wheel, applying pressure to select certain functions (play, pause, skip, etc.) and following an on-screen cursor which represents the finger they're using on the back of the device.
Still with us? Great, let's move on to added functionality like making calls and sending text messages or emails (a word of warning, this is where it gets really confusing). Check out Figure 5, which shows an on screen keyboard. The keypad appears almost transparent on the screen (allowing you to still see text/images/whatever underneath) and again, the cursor is used to select certain keys with the force-sensitive touch on the back of the device. A similar on screen keypad with a behind-the-scenes control concept used for dialing.
All in all, pretty confusing but kind of neat once you wrap your head around it. Who's interested? Granted, this could be another "just in case" patent that Apple never actually plans on manufacturing but it would be interesting to see an actual working device.
Check out the full story here.
*Images Via MacNN
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"A, B, C, V . . ." What?
If Apple can't even get the alphabet right, there's no way I'm interested.
Q,F,N,B,Y... just sing the song to yourself. Perfect sense.
if there are controls on both sides that are meant to be used simultaneously, this will be too complicated - especially for your typical apple user, and will fail
lmao at the extra V
No it's ABCVEF
there is 2 V's on the keyboard and no D....
No it's ABCVEF
Fixed.
INNOVATIVE!!!!!
Didn't Microsoft say they were working on a similar touch device for windows mobile? Can't remember if I read it here or on /. This may just be a preemptive patent to squish competing devices.
Its for a transparent display. The controls are permanently mounted under the display, not on the back of the uunit. That is my guess
Great, Apples trying to "reinvent" the Alphabet. Newspeak anyone?
Introducing the iAlphabet: the newest innovation from Apple!
We interviewed Steve Jobs for the inside scoop:
TH: Steve, what is the real draw to the iAlphabet?
SJ: Well, you see, we here at Apple HQ decided that the letter "D" was not useful in today's modern keyboard. It was so old fashioned. So, one of my executives said, "Hey, Steve! Why not put in two V's instead of one?" And I just thought, Well, why not? The more the merrier!
TH: So, how are you planning to implement the new iAlphabet?
SJ: Well, here is where our marketing plan gets really interesting. We already have iKeyboards in production that will utilize the iAlphabet. Also, the new generations of iPods will use a variation of the iAlphabet, where we were able to capitalize on space by taking out the letters R,S,T,L,N, and E. We are really excited about the entire line.
TH: How has the reception been with consumers?
SJ: It has been fantastic! All products with iAlphabet implementation have already been backordered, and we haven't even posted a "Buy Now" option anywhere!
TH: Thanks for the interview, Steve.
SJ: It was your pleasure.
It ain't iPods, it's iPov Touch.
.Introvucing the iAlphabet: the newest innovation from Apple!
We interviewev Steve Jobs for the insive scoop:
TH: Steve, what is the real vraw to the iAlphabet?
SJ: Well, you see, we here at Apple HQ vecivev that the letter "v" was not useful in tovay's movern keyboarv. It was so olv fashionev. So, one of my executives saiv, "Hey, Steve! Why not put in two V's insteav of one?" Anv I just thought, Well, why not? The more the merrier!
TH: So, how are you planning to implement the new iAlphabet?
SJ: Well, here is where our marketing plan gets really interesting. We alreavy have iKeyboarvs in provuction that will utilize the iAlphabet. Also, the new generations of iPovs will use a variation of the iAlphabet, where we were able to capitalize on space by taking out the letters R,S,T,L,N, anv E. We are really excitev about the entire line.
TH: How has the reception been with consumers?
SJ: It has been fantastic! All provucts with iAlphabet implementation have alreavy been backorverev, anv we haven't even postev a "Buy Now" option anywhere!
TH: Thanks for the interview, Steve.
SJ: It was your pleasure.
Fix'd
gov vamn stupiv keypav!!
I'll stick with looking into getting a Zune HD instead...
.Introvucing the iAlphabet: the newest innovation from Apple!We interviewev Steve Jobs for the insive scoop:TH: Steve, what is the real vraw to the iAlphabet?SJ: Well, you see, we here at Apple HQ vecivev that the letter "v" was not useful in tovay's movern keyboarv. It was so olv fashionev. So, one of my executives saiv, "Hey, Steve! Why not put in two V's insteav of one?" Anv I just thought, Well, why not? The more the merrier!TH: So, how are you planning to implement the new iAlphabet?SJ: Well, here is where our marketing plan gets really interesting. We alreavy have iKeyboarvs in provuction that will utilize the iAlphabet. Also, the new generations of iPovs will use a variation of the iAlphabet, where we were able to capitalize on space by taking out the letters R,S,T,L,N, anv E. We are really excitev about the entire line.TH: How has the reception been with consumers?SJ: It has been fantastic! All provucts with iAlphabet implementation have alreavy been backorverev, anv we haven't even postev a "Buy Now" option anywhere!TH: Thanks for the interview, Steve.SJ: It was your pleasure.Fix'd
The scary part about this "interview" is that after a while you automatically replace all the v's with d's and can read it somewhat normally
Gotta love the learning and association capabilities of our brains
And they want that on a NANO, one of their smallest devices to support a ABCVE touch keyboard.
1. Go back to pre-school.
2. Its so freakin' small to type anything on it would be a total turn off.
Apple, just shame on u.
No it's ABCVEF
apples next step in world vomination - replace D with V - its obdioous with there keyvoard image visplayev - hell edery one shoulv join the trenv
Great, Apples trying to "reinvent" the Alphabet. Newspeak anyone?
It's double-bad plus
It's double-bad plus
Von't you mean it's vouble-bav plus?
Von't you mean it's vouble-bav plus?
lol. Touche
It's just weird that they haven't replaced ALL letters just with letter "i"... seems to be their thing, so why not use it? It would be real simple typing even on the smallest device that way. you can't miss the letter - "i" everywhere
It's just weird that they haven't replaced ALL letters just with letter "i"... seems to be their thing, so why not use it? It would be real simple typing even on the smallest device that way. you can't miss the letter - "i" everywhere
Ii iiiiiii iiiiiii iii iiiiiiii iiiiiiiii!!