[ddots-l] OT (Slightly) - Apple Files for Audio Navigation Patent
- From: "George Bell" <george@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <ddots-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Thu, 25 May 2006 10:12:17 +0100
I'm sure we all wish manufacturers to consider adding voice
input and output to their products to aid accessibility, but
I wonder of the following could work against us?
George Bell.
Apple Files for Audio Navigation Patent
Publicationdate: May 23, 2006
Author: Aaron Marks
Apple has filed a patent for an audio interface that assists
the user of a portable music device in navigation.
The patent describes an audio feedback system where the
"device" not only voices the user's input commands but also
sounds out the name of the track that has been selected. The
song names would be generated from the ID3 tags attached to
each .MP3 or .AAC file and sounded out using a
"text-to-speech conversion engine.
The most practical application of this audio navigation
system would be the iPod Shuffle, as it lacks even a basic
display to show song titles.
The patent only describes the iPod talking to the user and
not the other way around. Since the navigation system can be
easily done using only a firmware update, the users of
existing iPods may be able to use this technology.
In order to retain its dominant position in the market,
Apple plans to enhance their iPod line. Having experimented
with different colors and photo viewing, Apple recently
added the video feature as well. While an audio navigation
system may not seem like much, it's one more little extra
feature to convince potential customers not to go with
cheaper alternatives.
Source:
Ars Technica Online
Page last modified on: May 23, 2006
** To leave the list, click on the immediately-following link:-
** [mailto:ddots-l-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=unsubscribe]
** If this link doesn't work then send a message to:
** ddots-l-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
** and in the Subject line type
** unsubscribe
** For other list commands such as vacation mode, click on the
** immediately-following link:-
** [mailto:ddots-l-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subjectúq]
** or send a message, to
** ddots-l-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the Subject:- faq
Other related posts:
- » [ddots-l] OT (Slightly) - Apple Files for Audio Navigation Patent
