Apple patent dug up docks iPod in PowerBook
posted June 30th 2005 11:45AM
You know how much we love patent
applications—especially Apple's patent applications, since they love to stonewall everyone on their plans. Which is
why we're totally giggling to ourselves at their latest to surface, which proposes
iPod integration directly into a laptop. Granted,
this patent application also proposes iPod
docking into just about every device imaginable, including images of the device docked in a regular dock, speaker
dock, wall mount, and so on. And yes, they specifically outline that the "[media player's] user interface may be the
primary user interface of the notebook… for example, the touch pad of the media player shown… may be used to perform
actions on the notebook computer." Take it for what it is though, people—something that not gonna happen by Apple's
hand (at least not anytime soon).
It's also worth noting that a huge portion of the patent covers 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," which could imply anything from PAN networks, WiFi devices,
cellular data, to FM transmitters—so don't be too surprised to see Apple as the eventual sole patent owner of all
wireless music and media transmissions.
[Via
Macsimum
News]
LOL
Does that mean that any non-Apple handheld DAP that's capable of streaming media over a wireless network violates this patent?
PAN networks, is that like a NIC card, or a GUI interface? Score one for redundancy.
FYI PAN=Personal Area Network
NIC=Network Interface Card
GUI=Graphical User Interface.
'so don’t be too surprised to see Apple as the eventual sole patent owner of all wireless music and media transmissions.'
Sonus alredy do this?
#1, i hope it isn't like that. If it is, it seems ridiculous that you can patent something that is so obviously the next logical step in this industry.
#2 thanks for explaining. Very useful and relevant.
How old is this patent? Look at the iMac.
Just remember, filing for a patent doesn't mean it is going to be granted. There are thousands of patents that get rejected every year, so I wouldn't be to worried about this one going through...not if it as assanine as it seems.
Powerbook with direct ipod integration. That's Hot
Pretty sweet.
Will never see the light of day.
I'm a huge mac fanboy, and even I think this is retarded lol
I remember reading, just days after the Mac mini launch, that someone had found traces and printing on the logic boards that seemed to indicate that Apple had, at least at one point, considered running Firewire to the top middle of the mini's case. At the time, speculation was that this could have been for an iPod dock of some sort.
http://www.engadget.com/entry/1234000263034087/
I didn't get passed this "which proposes iPod integration directly into a laptop" - I really think this spoiler stuff should be kept in a seperate area!
At least until the surpise is over, I had no idea they were doing this and its a real shame if it comes to product.
Please could you create a spoiler section so that I don't have to worry about getting my christmas early, which I hate.
thank you,
Samuel
ok ummmm ipod in the powerbook cool idea in theory but how the hell would it work in place of your mouse pad. Its a freckin scroll wheel!!!!!!!! second how the hell would you control the notebook with out the ipod? oh i am on a business trip and i forgot my mp3 player that is designed only to to be used for entertainment purposes only that is now putting my work on the line. Its one of those things that looks good on paper but never works, like communism. You apple fans really need to pull your head out of your ass and look around do we really need stuff like this!??!
Hey, that mouse has two buttons. What's the deal!
Finally explains the previously non-sensical moniker "iPod". Without a dock into the mother ship, a "pod" is just a seed-holder, or a group of whales.