Apple might have finally released the
iPad, but the rumor mill is already on to prognosticating about the next rev -- and as usual, Apple's patents and patent applications are everyone's favorite place to start. (And for good reason, really -- that
very first design patent we inititally noticed
way back in 2004 is exactly what the iPad looks like, down to the bezel and Dock connector.) The latest tidbit is a patent granted earlier this week on an intelligent touch-sensitive bezel, which would essentially extend the touchpanel beyoned the edges of the screen to create an entire border of context-specific soft buttons -- the iPod app might have playback controls at the bottom, while Safari could put the navigation bar down there and Pages could do formatting stuff at the top. It's sort of interesting -- Palm similarly extends the touch area beyond the screen on the Pre and the Pixi, but not quite like this -- but we can't see how touching the bezel next to an on-screen label is much better than just pressing the screen. Of course, there's no guaranteeing Apple's actually going to use any of this in any future products whatsoever, but we're sure that won't stop some analyst from waving their magic analyst wand and saying their "supply checks" have indicated a major ODM is already producing these. It's nice that the world is so predictable sometimes, isn't it?
posted February 3rd 2010 10:15PM
i guess the bezel isn't going away in iPad 2.0
how sad.
@Precision : iPad2 - The bezel returns! (...and its out for vengeance)
can't they just make the screen bigger?
@007 agree... would be much much better that way! But then Apple "usually" has a way of excellently implementing some "bad" ideas in a way, that make them seem like the best idea ever!
@007 I agree. Make the screen bigger/ bezel smaller, and have the software determine if or when the buttons are visible.
@007 What happened to the "but obviously it needs a huge bezel because your thumbs will get in the way" argument? The entire time I was like... "uh.. just make the software SMART enough to ignore the edges when appropriate!" It's freaking multitouch.. it wouldn't be that hard to ignore a touch point that is CLEARLY being used to hold the device.
This isn't new. I got a Kodak photo frame from Woot a month or so ago that also used a touch bezel for interaction (although the Apple one is probably far more precise).
@MrPointedHelix
Agree, the Palm Pre also has similar functionality to this too.
iriver was doing this way back with D-click. it would also make for a smudge-less screen
It is quite frankly beyond me how the PTO continues to grant these truly ridiculous patents. I don't why we should expect better from the same people that allow companies to patent gene sequences (which are discoveries, not inventions), but I do.
I await the day that the PTO allows someone to patent breathing or the stick. I know the French PTO once allowed someone to patent the circle.
Some day, some way, some one is going to have to throw these bubble headed lawers in the PTO out on their ears and replace them all.
Anyone want to go in with me on inventing light? Not a particular light, just light in general?
@klamerus Sure I'll go with you. We should also patent water.
@NYNY I'm going to patent the process of creating patents with electronic magic (which of course includes touch screens) and then see you all in Texas!
Seriously though, how the hell is this patentable? How is this patent even ethical?
I can see this as something that possible makes FPS games more doable for iPad gaming developers. Aside from that, there really isn't much more it can do.
This is drastically reduce the number of fingerprints on the screen. Touch the bezel instead of smudging the screen. Sounds like a great idea to me.
@chamcham
I think it would be awesome if the bezel buttons were both touch AND pressure sensitive (so you could press them with gloves on your fingers).