[NTLK] Apple's latest patent

Interesting reading from:

http://blog.activehome.co.uk/2006/10/is_the_ipod_get.html

Is The iPod Getting A Digital Camera?

Apple posted a new patent application at the end of last week that
indicates some pretty big changes coming with the next generation of
iPod. The patent features two main components: one that will see the
demise of the innovative and brilliant 'scroll wheel' and one that
indicates that new iPods could boast decent digital cameras. Ipodcam
The potential new device, which sports a screen almost as big as the
entire device, proposes a bezel control system where users would touch
parts of frame around the display. The tender states:

"An electronic device has a display and has a touch sensitive bezel
surrounding the display. Areas on the bezel are designated for controls
used to operate the electronic device. Visual guides corresponding to
the controls are displayed on the display adjacent the areas of the
bezel designated for the controls. Touch data is generated by the bezel
when a user touches an area of the bezel. The device determines which
of the controls has been selected based on which designated area is
associated with the touch data from the bezel. The device then
initiates the determined control. The device can have a sensor for
determining the orientation of the device. Based on the orientation,
the device can alter the areas designated on the bezel for the controls
and can alter the location of the visual guides for the display so that
they match the altered areas on the bezel."

In addition, the folks over at ZD Net think that the artwork provided
is ample evidence for an ‘iPodcam’, a large screen iPod with a good
digital camera. However, it should be remembered that with Apple – and
many other companies – just because they patent something doesn’t mean
they’ll make it.

Apple has pulled some ‘smoke and mirrors’ effects in the past: could
this be just another one?

- - - -

Not, of course, a new Newton but fascinating if it reaches production
...

Russ, UK

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