Brian Garner
A universal dock for the iPod/iPhone was revealed in a patent application published Thursday. The dock's main feature is its ability to change forms to accommodate a variety of devices using an elastic, sponge-like substance that conforms to the shape of the device being charged.
The sponge-like substance would be able to retain its shape between uses or could be reset using a button placed on the front of the dock for use with a different device. This would eliminate the current problem of differing generations of iPods/iPhones needing adapters to fit into certain docks and chargers.
The patent for the device, dubbed the "Aesthetically pleasing universal dock," was originally filed in June of 2008. There is no word as to if or when this product will see release.
Also revealed today were patents for tamper-resistant hardware and the use of additional accelerometer controls in controlling iPod playback.
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27 Comments
WTF? Is it April 1st already?
Apple may be developing a universal dock which can conform to the shape of the object being charged, thus eliminating the need for separate chargers and adaptors when switching between products.
I just picked-up a Walldock from DLO and it operates the same way. It's a spring-loaded cushion on top and so any size ipod/iphone can be docked in it. It's actually really nice and a simple, nice looking solution to the problem.
I just picked-up a Walldock from DLO and it operates the same way. It's a spring-loaded cushion on top and so any size ipod/iphone can be docked in it. It's actually really nice and a simple, nice looking solution to the problem.
Do you have a link?
Some of these patent apps seem pretty boring. Let's see:
A universal dock for iPods and iPhones
A label patent that voids warranties
Apple doesn't patent anything cool
Actually, this is kind of interesting. That they have been playing around with this elastic surface reminds me of some of the work on their proposed combination keyboard-multitouch surface that they applied for a patent for earlier.