Apple patent attack 2: iPod karaoke, iPod remote

It looks like Apple is on a roll with its latest round patent applications. Hot on the heels of the recently seen illuminated touchpad and Home on iPod filings, comes two new applications that should have only the fiercest of fanboys excited. First up is a technology which the Cupertino camp calls "Dynamic lyrics display for portable media devices," or as we would describe it -- karaoke on your iPod. Nothing really groundbreaking here: obviously lyrics would be displayed while you belted out your favorite Pat Benatar song, which is pretty unexciting and definitely unoriginal. Patent number two seems a bit more promising, as it addresses the possibility of using your iPod or other "portable media player" as a wireless remote for your PC or media center, thus allowing you easier access to your Best of the 80's collection. Of course, this would require a wireless iPod, which doesn't exist, although we understand those new iPhone things have some kind of wireless capability...

[Via Unwired View]

Read -- Dynamic lyrics display for portable media devices
Read -- Portable media player as a low power remote control and method thereof

[MrGam3r @ Jul 19th 2007 6:57PM]

do you think this "iPod remote" will be any better than the apple remote?

[absurdio @ Jul 19th 2007 8:28PM]

...In the sense that it's not just a recycled old-skool ipod shuffle, yes.

[Jaxim @ Jul 19th 2007 7:04PM]

I always thought the Zune would make the perfect remote if it used Vista's Sidebar technology.

[paloooz @ Jul 19th 2007 7:19PM]

Dynamic lyrics? Meh.

[Paul @ Jul 19th 2007 7:41PM]

I am imagining a cross between Logitech's Harmony 1000 remote ( http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/remotes/universal_remotes/devices/373&cl=us,en ) and an iPhone.

Seems to me the iPhone already has all of the necessary components in it, except perhaps an IR transmitter, to make an awesome all in one remote.

I might actually buy one if that were the case.

[byaah @ Jul 19th 2007 8:08PM]

....

[jilie @ Jul 19th 2007 8:09PM]

good luck, keep hoping for some copycat of windowmobile's features

[Mr. B @ Jul 19th 2007 8:11PM]

MP3 players have had lyrics display for quite some time, not commonly so in the states I would imagine. Any chance Apple will be denied that one on grounds of prior art?

[babingraton @ Jul 19th 2007 8:20PM]

LOL!, looks like Apple already 0wn3d AT&'s network, lol

[Bill @ Jul 19th 2007 8:23PM]

So, does this talk about a software or hardware patent?

[absurdio @ Jul 19th 2007 8:28PM]

Your phone is flaccid and nubby?

[narco @ Jul 19th 2007 8:42PM]

Displaying lyrics on my iPod sounds totally awesome, only problem is I'd have to re-tag over 30,000 songs. Plus I doubt any of my friends would want to play hours of Bad Brains karaoke.

Fishes,
narco.

[Ian @ Jul 19th 2007 9:14PM]

ahh i love it when u realize something before u post it so u dont look like a dumb ass. i thought the lyrics were just there not being scrolled across the screen. cuz i know the ipod can display lyrics just there not sinked up to the music. :)

[Dan @ Jul 19th 2007 9:27PM]

I think most of you are missing the point about the Ipod remote. Its not a remote in the true sense of the word (IR, bluetooth, etc) but rather you will be able to take your ipod anywhere within wifi range of the media server (think apple airport express or apple tv) and it will stream whatever is playing onto your home system or foreseeably your car.

This means I can have friends over and take my ipod outside where anyone can choose the music over the night and it streams to my hifi inside . Or perhaps I just got a new movie on my 6th gen wifi ipod and i can play it on my widescreen tv and home system over wifi to some sort of media box.

Yes all these things can already be done one way or another with current technology, but you must remember what works for one person doesnt always for another ... and this just might be the feature that turns a casual ipod user (like my mum) into a more savvy user of technology, and if it does that then its all good!

[greenlight @ Jul 20th 2007 6:34AM]

Ah, so you mean like any Sony Ericsson phone and the MBR-100, only using WiFi? Still patently unoriginal.

[Galley @ Jul 20th 2007 10:08AM]

I'd give my spleen for an Apple remote. Harmony's are OK, but their software sucks!

[Chicksta @ Jul 20th 2007 10:18AM]

Yes, my old SE phones could be used to control Macs and PCs via Bluetooth. I can already use my iPhone to do some controls of a system (via that Google app). This looks more like an integration with an AirTunes-like product, not as a direct system remote.

[Matt @ Jul 20th 2007 5:20PM]

Seems to me that this lyrics patent is really just a set up so they can add subtitles to movies on the iPhone when they release it overseas.