03/17/2008, 11:05am, EDT
Monday, March 17thApple patent would allow iPhone clamshell
Apple has developed a technique that could allow for a smaller iPhone with all the controls but half the size, according to a recent WIPO international patent filing. Described as a "dual sided trackpad," the primary variant on the invention would have a translucent cover with a capacitive, multi-touch trackpad that accepts input on either side and can activate controls depending on the pad's position.
The pad could therefore be attached to a small handheld device through a hinge and switch its functionality depending on whether it was open or closed: while a closed trackpad would simply serve as a substitute for the main touchscreen, an open position could provide a separate pad for dialing numbers or an interface for gestures and scrolling. This touchscreen could have its own basic display for these features.
A second iteration of the patent could also apply to computers and would have the dual trackpad replace the conventional, opaque surface on a notebook such as the MacBook Air; while acting as a traditional trackpad when the computer is open, a fully shut notebook would switch input to the outside and use it as an external interactive display for checking e-mail, playing music, and other simple actions, similar to Windows Vista's SideShow.
Apple is not under any obligation to use the patent and may require translucent display technology not yet readily available to implement the technique, which would require capacitive sensors thin enough to be near-invisible. However, Apple describes the patent as applying to "mobile telephones," other handhelds, and computers. It also uses images which appear to be partly derived from the iPhone's interface for mail and menus. [via Unwired View]
iPhone mockup based on patent
Filed under: iPhone, computers, gadgets
Other story tags: MacBook Air, patents, multi-touch
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It's like their saying "nyah nyah," to all the other hardware designer/manufacturers who try to take the iPhone to the next step. As it is, it's all they can do to copy what's already there. ;-)
lamewing is obviously referring to the multiple law suits against Apple for patents that were filed 5-10 years prior to iTunes/iPod for "portable music devices" and "methods to transfer music to a portable player" and "method for selling music over wide area network" etc. Those companies couldn't or didn't chose to produce the product, and there is definitely an outcry when those companies then try to protect their patent via lawsuit. There is a very long tradition, as lamewing pointed out, of people on these and other Apple fan forums "jumping all over" companies that defend those patents, even if they are never used.
While I think there are aspects of the patent process that are ridiculous, I'm not making statements about that. I do like that lamewing made a self-fulfilling prophecy that came true in just one post.
nat, if you need further explanation... well, I feel bad for ya. Can't help ya any more... I'm sure someone as smugly self-righteous as you can figure things out for themself. Except, obviously, lamewing's comment.