“On October 20, 2011, the US Patent & Trademark Office published a patent application from Apple that reveals their work on optical transmitting cables, connectors and adapters,” Jack Purcher reports for Patently Apple.
“I first thought that the patent was simply describing Thunderbolt until I saw the illustrations,” Purcher reports. “They have nothing to do with Thunderbolt.”
Purcher reports, “These kinds of cables are usually used with HDTV’s and other home electronics. While optical cables are interesting and I’m sure that they’ll likely work with a future iteration of Apple TV – I wonder what else Apple may have in mind. Interestingly, the patent graphics make it appear as if the product is in its final stages of design.”
Much more in the full article, including Apple’s patent application illustrations, here.
Related article:
Apple reportedly gearing up to produce Apple HDTV set for Christmas 2012 – October 20, 2011
Is Apple teasing us here? Are we closer to a real HDTV? This will complete the circle of gadgets. With Intel giving up on TV’s, it’s Apple’s chance to grab this market. No one has done it right yet. C’mon Apple. C’mon Cook. Get it done.
Bad link
It points to the MDN Apple HDTV article.
I just reread it. It is to connect multiple ipods together to light up a Christmas Tree. Pretty cool
Good to see apple still innovating after Steve.
“As an example, the electrical connector could have 30 contacts. Thus, cable 230 may have 30 conductive wires, one electrically coupled with each of the contacts.”
Err 30 pin dock connector? Sounds like thunderbolt to iDevices.
Maybe Cook was teasing us being that it’s now reported that Apple may have cracked the smartv problems of the past.
Apple’s patent mentions a “toslink” there Jonathan and that has nothing to do with Thunderbolt. The patent graphic has a toslink nib as a connector unlike Thunderbolt’s thin wide connector. There’s no comparison whatsoever.