“Not content with changing the world’s music-listening habits, Apple has come up with another innovation: the talking iPod,” Richard Gray writes for The Scotsman.
Gray writes, “A new generation of machines will use sophisticated software to convert the names of bands, albums and individual tracks into recognisable speech.”
“The new iPod will tell you what it is about to play, removing the need for users to look at the screen while selecting music, and making the device safer and easier to use while driving, cycling or in badly-lit locations,” Gray writes.
“Apple has flatly refused to comment on the design, but a patent lodged by the company in the United States makes clear the sixth generation of iPods will be able to convert those famous text menus into speech,” Gray writes.
“The ingenious system will rely on home PC processing power and clever software. The computer being used to download tracks will analyse each album title, song name and artist and convert them into sound files. These will be loaded into the iPod, along with the song files,” Gray writes.
“Users of the music players will still operate the Clickwheel as normal, but hear the names of songs and bands through their headphones,” Gray writes.
Gray writes, “[The] Apple [patent application] says its system will break down words in a new way that makes it possible to pronounce perfectly even the most obscure song titles and artist names.
“It also proposes using ‘voice talent” – such as famous actors – to make the speech more human and add in the celebrity factor,” Gray writes. “The patent also proposes using different voice ‘characteristics,’ such as gender, for different sections of the iPod menus.”
Full article here.
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “Too Hot!” for the heads up.]
We can hear it now: “Back in the ‘old days’ we had to look at the iPod’s screen to use it, you whippersnapper!”
Just a not that Apple iPods that are equipped with the Nike+iPod Sport Kit already provide some aural feedback to the user.
How Nike+iPod works video:
Direct link to video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVDEXzxZWQw
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Apple releases iTunes 6.0.5 with Nike+iPod Sport Kit sync features – June 29, 2006
Nike+iPod Sport Kit now available for order at Apple Store – June 13, 2006
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i came, i spoke, i conquered.
Sounds like a good idea. As long as they have an option to turn off the sound for those who don’t want it.
This is a good way for Apple to go after the “blind” market.
However, at Microsoft, we’re thinking up ways to go after the DEAF market!
And the cadaver market…I hear people are just dying to get a nano
MW= Bad As in, what a bad joke
That’s as ridiculous as the predicted Apple camera.
Deedubya, I remember reading a post a few months ago about this guy whose dad was getting progressively blind. His dad had to remember the clicks to get to particular playlists. He wrote Apple to ask for this feature for his dad and wanted no royalties for his suggestion.
This is just one situation where a feature like this would be useful. I’m sure us Mac folks will come up with more uses for this feature…
The new iPod will tell you what it is about to play
No voice needed. Just keep listening and you’ll soon find out what it’s about to play.
…and what if your iPod starts to get a bit above itself:
soft voice: I’m sorry Dave but I can’t allow you to play that track
“However, at Microsoft, we’re thinking up ways to go after the DEAF market!”
Considering the resistance of Windows users to switching to Macs, I’d say you’ve already captured it!
If anyone thinks that listening to an iPod is safer than looking at an iPod while driving they are deluded. Safety experts have already demonstrated that the risks of being involved in a motor vehicle accident are not statistically different between persons using a handheld or hands-free phone.
It is the inherent distraction of using a phone while driving and not the type of phone that is the primary factor in having accident. The results of not paying attention while driving are similar to those of people with a buzz regardless of the type of phone used. I would reckon that that the risks of accident scanning through a series of iPod menus while driving are similar to the distractions of using any phone.
I would almost like to have it that I can talk to my iPod; as in:
“Play song X.”
“Play song Y.”
“Skip ahead”
“Next song”
etc, etc,
I thought that the whole thing about using an iPod was to get rid of the fusking moronic DJ.
Now puttig back the robotic DJ is the next feature?
Might as well get a $15 sports FM radio.
as long as you are able to select the voice we’ll be ok. I don’t want Apple forcing Albert on us when clearly Victoria is the better choice.
I can hear future iPods now..
“you want Milli Vanilli? You’ve GOT to be kidding?”
I hope the 6G has more going for it than that! Hey, but that’ll be good, too. I’ll be able to buy a refurbed 5G from the apple store for even less money and feel great about it!
Having a full faced touch screen and putting more PDA functions on it would be a good idea. Yes, the fat, bloated corpse of the PDA market is stagnating in the sun. But I would buy a 6G if it had those functions to get something off of my belt.
Just my two cents..
obviously this feature would be switchable, available for use at your discretion. If you’ve ever used a rowing machine you know this would be great for that circumstance. For the blind, for people with more limited physical capability, to let you navigate
through the system choosing even the time, playlist, song, artist…
How many people would choose to download someone famous to say these words on their iPod? Probably only a few million.
I don’t care about talking. There is too much
damn talking in my life already.
When does the “Oral Pleasure iPod” come out?
Looks like the Shuffle was ahead of its time afterall.
Why would I want to hear a robot voice say, “Concerto for Violin and Cello in A minor, Op. 102 : 1. Allegro” before I listen to the piece? And will it interrupt before the next movement to say, “Concerto for Violin and Cello in A Minor, Op.102: 3. Vivace Non Troppo – Poco Meno Allegro – Tempo I” cuz that would be even worse.
I want Victoria, that sexy bitch!
Hey! Did you know know what you take the letters in IPOD and transpose by one
I = H
P = O
O = N
D = C
Apple has commented on this yet..anyway this would be a great feature for apple iPod(Taking iPod) as Microsoft is entering the competition