“Apple Computer has been experimenting with display actuators for electronics devices that would serve to both display visual information and act as a mechanical input, therefore reducing the space needed to implement both components on devices such as media players,” Slash Lane reports for AppleInsider.
Lane reports, “In a series of patent requests filed overseas and published on Wednesday, the iPod maker said such a device could display visual information like text, characters and graphics, but also act as a clickable button, sliding toggle, rotating dial or a motion controlling device such as a joystick.”
Full article with patent application illustrations here.
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “LinuxGuy and Mac Prodigal Son” for the heads up.]
That is the worst illustrated finger I’ve ever seen. Ever.
Re:Finger
Maybe it’s a toe?
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Wrong both times….
Hey! That’s not a finger! Though I have seen an appendage just like it
in a medical anomalies book.
This reminds me of that keyboard from a Russian outfit that has OLEDs on the tops of all the keys. You set your keyboard to provide custom looks for each program you run. So when editing video, your keyboard displays all the special shortcut keys for FCP; and for WOW the keys display your weapons and spells, etc. Beats those cardboard cutout cheat sheets we stick on our keyboards.
I totally tried to patent that keyboard idea when I was a teen. Finally ended up finding out that someone already patented it. 🙁 I thought I was so brilliant. The worst kind of plageurism is when someone steals your idea 100 years before you were born.
How can they patent that? That’s exactly like how the iRiver Clix works.
I think the finger is infected.
Re: Finger
I know: it’s His Noodliness’ Noodly Appendage! Because you’ve got to be FSM (or, alternatively, His Steveness) to be able to use an unreleased Apple gadget.
iChat mobile will be REVOLUTIONARY!
They will prolly use this on a new keyboard, optimus is goisng to be pissed..