Close followers on the iPod rumor circuit might remember a mysterious comment from Hon Hai Chairman Terry Gou last month that Apple’s next generation iPod would have a “none-touch” concept. That was somewhat lost in the froth of the same company being accused of bad labor practices in its Chinese iPod factories. And many who did hear it, such as myself, dismissed it as misinformation or something being lost in translation. After all, how could you use an iPod without touching it?
But now, having seen recent patent filings by Apple, this comment seems a little more interesting. Sure, we know that Apple files tons of patents that it doesn’t end up using, but combined with Mr. Gou’s insight, and the rumors about a true videoscreen iPod, well, it seems somewhat more plausible. The patent uses a variety of sensors to detect when an object (such as your finger) is in close proximity. It can then activate input based on that proximity, such as making a virtual scroll wheel appear onscreen. Waving your finger about in a scroll wheel motion will then make it scroll.
The patent filing includes a specific reference to “new iPod touch screen GUI.” While a “none touch” iPod is hardly definite, it’s nice to know that Apple’s at least thinking about it.
[via Infinite Loop]
