12/20/2007, 11:20am, EST
Thursday, December 20th
Apple designs next generation iPod Boombox
A new patent filed by Apple describes a next generation digital device called the iPod Boombox, or simply the Boombox. Proof of the Cupertino-based company's plans surfaced today in a patent published by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office, wherein Apple describes the device as having a display or user interface in the center of the face panel. An Apple Remote associated with the Boombox will allow users to interact with the device via an application like Front Row, while volume control buttons on the chassis itself provide physical control. [updated with photo]
The housing of Apple's latest invention offers an indicator light to provide visual feedback about the operation or condition of the host device, and could include a receiver window for use by a receiver internal to the housing when picking up wireless transmissions from a remote control.
The iPod will fit into the Boombox the same way it fits into the company's iPod Hi-Fi, allowing users to play video content and possibly games as well.

Filed under: iPod, Apple, audio
Other story tags: digital, patent
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This is not a new product.
Great, if the only place you want your music is where your TV is.
Similarly, you can get an iPod that will be your "on the go" stereo.
Great, unless you want others to hear your music.
The Apple Hi-Fi was too expensive for most and was hyped at a time when everyone had their music somewhere in their house.
What, an Apple product 'too expensive'? Nah, I bet you weren't comparing it to like products with the same features.
It is only a matter of time when the stereo is phased out of existence. I have not owned one since the late 1990s. Maybe they will come out with something that people are willing to buy like a game console.
I'm starting to wonder if you even know what the Apple Hi-Fi is. Do you not understand that the Apple Hi-Fi was basically a portable speaker system for your iPod? It's not a 'stereo' (whatever you're considering a stereo). So you can take your music with you to a party and rock the house down! Or take it to a friends. Or the beach. Or off on a boat while you go drinking and vomiting...um...I mean fishing.