Apple has a Wiimote-type Apple TV controller in the works? We wish.

For every Apple and Nintendo fanboy out there, there is another equally zealous person entertaining a hope against hope that if only these two companies could somehow join forces, the world would be free from war, disease and famine. Apple apparently saw it fit to entertain those fantasies, and has a patent from November 2006 with some interesting Wiimote-esque functionality for what we presume to be the Apple TV. In fact, the patented controller seems to be suspiciously similar to the Wii controller in function, with a similar accelerometer and positioning setup, and Apple clearly states the proposed controller's relation to gaming, in addition to other functions like zooming in on images. Unfortunately for the dreamers out there, Apple patents out-there stuff all the time that never sees the light of day, and we're sure Nintendo wouldn't be all friendly about Apple turning the Apple TV into a Wii-killer. But hey, let's not let facts get in the way of unadulterated magnificence.

[Thanks, Mark]

[mlody11 @ May 8th 2008 11:13AM]

I see what you did there with the "we"

[Tim @ May 8th 2008 11:15AM]

touchscreen from the couch?

[clak @ May 8th 2008 11:17AM]

Huh, funny, I bought my nine year old niece a Logitech controller so that she can play SNES on her iMac. She didn't grow up with Super Mario Brothers 1, 2, 3, so it's all very new to her. I've been playing a few rounds of SNES and I've been thinking the same thing. Nintendo could have a great thing with Apple by porting their Wii games to Mac.

A dream, but I think Nintendo and Apple would make a great fit.


Design is not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works—Steve Jobs

[qwerty @ May 8th 2008 11:33AM]

So wait. When Apple tries to copy Nintendo it's cool? Yet, when that horrible company from Seatle copies Nintendo there is a huge uproar?

[CraigJ @ May 8th 2008 12:26PM]

2006...

[Ray @ May 8th 2008 1:44PM]

Well, you ARE reading Engadget, The Apple Blog featuring other things.
Mayby this is retribution for the Apple Pippin.

[Jimmy Jones @ May 8th 2008 11:34AM]

Where are all the Apple fanbois who kvetches about all major phone manufacturers copying the iPhone? Well you better come outta ya closet and admit to this ---because Apple is copying as we speak ......... :-)

[webon @ May 8th 2008 11:42AM]

how many patents does apple have that are not produced ever? its just silly

[TimeyWimeyStuff @ May 8th 2008 11:42AM]

With an accelerometer and bluetooth, doesn't the iPhone/iTouch already have the required hardware?

[Phoenix @ May 8th 2008 12:25PM]

Not the positioning on the screen, unless you used the camera and held it in a really awkward way

[TedB @ May 8th 2008 4:33PM]

Yes, you are correct minus a small detail that engadget has overcome before, when they had a how to guide on how to use a iPod as a universal remote control. Just in this case, do the opposite.

Read my post on macrumors here for full details http://forums.macrumors.com/showpost.php?p=5414475&postcount=49 .

[Liam @ May 8th 2008 11:44AM]

Why not just a license the tech from Nintendo and/or just let you use a normal Wiimote?

[roach @ May 8th 2008 12:27PM]

Now we know where Nintendo stole the wii remote idea...shame on you Nintedo! Shame!

[Will Static @ May 8th 2008 12:30PM]

This patent should be set ablaze and left to rot.
the only difference I see in the description is the potential wired aspect other wise this is Nintendo's patent...
Oh lord Steve thank you for always blessing us with your stolen ideas...
and the list is long... remember Creative patents... yes apple made a better player at the time but it was still stealing... just pay the damned royalties!

[cbylife @ May 8th 2008 12:31PM]

stealing ideas from other companies is another reason why apple sucks and why everything they do is either unoriginal or pointless!

[Pom @ May 8th 2008 1:20PM]

as is your comment

[Keef @ May 8th 2008 12:33PM]

funny how its apple and its all "yeah, we wish they did that"

but if it was a Sony remote for a Blu ray player or Microsoft making something its all "ZOMG THEY STEAL!!"

[YoJIMbo @ May 8th 2008 12:57PM]

Did you notice #28???

They even include the crack your screen will get when you launch the remote at it accidentally! So thoughtful!

[onedollarbill @ May 8th 2008 1:56PM]

"patent from November 2006"

I swear all the people calling foul on Apple didn't read the entire post. All you saw was the headline and immediately hit post comment to spout off some nonsense.

BTW no offense to the Engadget folks, but how is this even news worthy? Who cares about some patent a company filed a couple years about and never did anything with. The only way this would be relevant is if Apple did release a "Wii like" controller and Nintendo was trying to sue for for infringement . In that case this "discovery" would be good to know.

[redspear @ May 8th 2008 4:56PM]

Yeah Novemebr 2006 let's see what else happened in Nov 2006 specifically Nov 19th 2006. I think something called the Wii went on sale after being unveiled to the public a year earlier.
This is news in the sense that apple registered a patent and engadget posts all of this stuff and also sometimes it takes a while to dig this stuff up so they are just announcing. It is also a blatent Wii rip off so it is news if you are an apple hater or if you are an apple lover it is good news since the Wii mote shows promise as a simple controller for TV and DVR use. Either way someone is going to be interested.
Just think about it MS will be copying apple again when they release the new controlelr for the 360! Take that Nintendo!

[SuperDre @ May 8th 2008 1:57PM]

This is exactly what Apple is good at, stealing someone elses Idea and tell the world it's their innovating idea.. that's the way apple always does their business, it hasn't changed since the Apple ][.. Steve jobs is nothing more than one big giant butthole..

[momoy @ May 8th 2008 11:04PM]

this is really a very biased article. I know engadget drinks steve jobs' s*men for breakfast but this is too much. when the rumor of MS coming out with a wii-mote type controls a few weeks ago engadget called them stealing nintendo's design and whatnot. even the fanboys joined the fray. but when apple steals nintendo's design it's original. wow. you just lost all credibility (if i ever had one). this is really stupid. and you paul miller are a douchebag.

and before you guys accuse me of being an MS fanboy, im typing this comment on my MBP.