Talking iPods

chrisb33 writes to tell us the next iteration of the iPod may talk you through the menus instead of just relying on text. The Scotsman speculates on this new technology based on a patent filed by Apple in the US. From the article: "The patent reveals the idea is driven largely by safety considerations. It states: 'A user will have difficulty navigating the interface in "eyes-busy" situations. Such activities include, for example, driving an automobile, exercising and crossing the street." The patent also makes clear that text-to-speech technology is likely to spread to other hand-held electronic devices such as mobile phones and palm-top computers."

Comments

24th Century Technology!

[MrPsycho]

Scotty: "Computer... Computer... (McCoy hands Scotty the mouse) Scotty: "Aye. Hello computer." -- "Just use the keyboard." (Scotty flexes fingers and begins typing) Scotty: "Keyboard. How quaint."

Re:24th Century Technology!

[Fordiman]

Star Trek... that's the one with the laser swords, isn't it?

so i can have a conversation and it change?

[nihaopaul]

me > hello, thanks for calling me back
*ipod changes* playing album: hello my name is q
*ipod changes* The Calling - Thank You.mp3
me > shut up!
caller > what?
*ipod changes* 03-lil_kim-shut_up_bitch.mp3
me > no not you, my ipod is freaking me out
*ipod changes* Ali G Indahouse-Da Soundtrack/14-another_level-freak_me-rns.mp3
caller > you know its weird to talk to that thing right?
me > your driving me crazy
*ipod changes* Fidel Cashflow (2005) - Rap/06-stack_bundles-hustlers_go_crazy.mp3
caller > what ever, forget the job!
me > no, wait a minute!
*ipod changes* ez-rollers/lickable_beats_lp_sampler/09-60_minute_ man_and_dj_touch-tonight.mp3

real men dont mark this funny, real men mark it insightful!

This could cause huge embarrassment

[99luftballon]

Think of the possibilities. The ultra cool fashionista who loses all credibility when the iPod annpounces they are listening to Celine Dion for example. Cue a quick grab for the play ans a face saving "No, no, the machine's screwed - I'm listening to the Arctic Monkeys honestly..." Similarly do you really want to know the respectable commuter sitting opposite you is listening to "F**k like a beast"

Re:Seems an obvious patent

[ObsessiveMathsFreak]

Text to speech applyed to menu navigation. Nothing new here.

Ahhh! But it's now being done on a computer!

Oh wait.

Great...

[InsaneLampshade]

So now when i'm travelling to work on the train every morning, not only do i have to put up with excessively loud music coming from peoples headphones, and people talking on their mobile phones, but *now also* people talking to their ipods. Great, just ******* great. -_-

Anyone know where i can buy a portable, re-usable EMP device with say a 50m range?

Prior Art makes this unpatentable

[spicydragonz]

I think I have talked my mother through using interfaces over the phone at least 1/2 dozen times. Last one: "Ok mom, open firefox No go to piratebay.org. uh-huh, yeah you can find music. Search for American Idol. No you are not downloading the music. You need to use a bittorrent client to download the music. Ok, lets get you a client. . ."

Re:Is it just me that HATES devices talking?

[Asic Eng]

Can you *imagine* how much MORE annoying the office paperclip would be if it spoke to you?

Hmmm - I wonder how you'll feel about the upcomming MS patent then. :-)