Apple filing reveals multi-sided iPod with touch screen interface
Apple Inc. is looking to patent a design for a handheld device (or iPod) that displays its output on a small front-side display screen but receives input through a larger touch- and force-sensitive back-side interface, AppleInsider has discovered.
There’s some Patent Office drawings shown at the above link.
Apple isn’t the first company to use the back of a device for controls. Immediately I thought back to one of Sony’s final PDAs, the CLIE TH55. It positioned its vaunted JogDial controller on the back. Here’s a picture of it, with the scrolling bar right above the camera lens.
I could never get used to it, no matter how many times I fondled it in various stores.
Now Apple is considering a similar move, if this patent is an indication of their true intent.
I’m not sure if that would really be an improvement in interactive interface design.
The great thing about the current iPods is that they can be used with just one hand. It seems to me these back-controlled devices will require the use of both hands. Go on, grab your current model of iPod and hold it in landscape orientation and try imagining using a touch control on its back and its bottom. I’ve just done it. How soon do you think you’ll be going Oops! and having your blood pressure drop as your iPod drops to the ground?
Better buy that extended AppleCare with one of those!
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