Apple reference stirs touch-screen iPod frenzy [u]

The solitary reference in an otherwise irrelevant and lengthy tutorial (1.5MB) on interfacing with the iPod's text-based "Notes" feature is more than likely a misprint than a company slip-up, but is garnering widespread attention amongst the blogging community nonetheless.

"Linking to photos and videos is supported only for 5th generation iPods running iPod Software version 1.2 or later," a technical writer for Apple wrote on page 10 of the 47-page tutorial. "All other Notes feature capabilities described in this document are supported for iPod models with display screens, beginning with the touch-screen models."

Based on the preceding information in the document, it's believed the citation is no more than a mistyped reference to the company's third-generation iPods which sport a touch-sensitive click-wheel interface.

Still, recent patent filings have made it abundantly clear the Cupertino, Calif.-based iPod maker is hard at work on a next-generation hard disk drive iPod that will likely sport some form of touch-screen control. The latest and most extensive filing that turn up last month referenced several touch-based iPod designs, including some with touch-screens and others with touch-sensitive enclosures.

Traditionally a tight-lipped company, Apple's divulgence in the latest series of filings emphasizes its willingness to tip its hand in order gain exclusive patent rights to vital next-generation media player technologies.

Apple has already been late to bat at least once in filing for crucial digital media player patents, which cost it dearly via an out-of-court settlement. In August, it payed rival Creative Technologies $100 million for a license to use its software interface patent, which covers most aspects of a digital music player's software interface, including the one featured on display-based iPods.

Apple, which filed for its own patent on the iPod's software interface, was turned down by the United States Patent and Trademark Office as a result of the earlier filing by Creative.

Update: As presumed, the touch-screen mention was a typo. The developer document has now been corrected to read: "All other Notes feature capabilities described in this document are supported for iPod models beginning with third-generation iPod (dock connector) models with touch wheel."