Apple’s Roadmap: A notebook with integrated iPod mini
Posted by Dennis Sellers 
Jun 29, 2005 at 1:09am
Apple’s roadmap, in accordance with Patent Application 20040224638, reveals one of Apple’s coolest ideas that I personally think could be a market winner.
Apple notebook with integrated iPod mini
A notebook/iPod mini combination may sound like a crazy idea at first, until you actually see it with your very own eyes in Apple’s patent. An iPod mini doubling as a notebook touch pad!
What’s interesting about this notebook/iPod combination embodiment is that it’s not in a separate patent unto itself but rather within the framework of a patent that is primarily covering wireless capabilities that extend up to higher RF frequencies that are associated with cell phones.
Think cellular!
If you take Motorola’s MXC architecture into consideration, as was presented in a recent “Next Wave Series” chapter, then you could begin to see how Apple could actually implement cellular capabilities into this very notebook/iPod embodiment. In that Next Wave chapter I included a question that Motorola posed in their literature as follows: “What if, instead of putting a camera in a phone, manufacturers could easily add cellular or wireless capability to digital cameras?” That same logic could easily be applied to this embodiment. Such a scenario would be quite revolutionary indeed. All of a sudden, this could be seen as a real world product that could be delivered in the not too distant future.
Motorola’s MXC was made available this past February (‘05) and in Freescale’s own press release, they stated the following: “This single platform could equip virtually any product — an MP3 player, a handheld DVD player, a digital camera — to become a fully functional smart mobile cellular device.” It also went on to state that “On-board security solutions help protect consumers and enable widespread access to anywhere, anytime downloads like video files and mobile commerce transactions.”
Yes exactly, or downloads like music files and transactions like buying an iTune or other product that’s available at Apple’s iTunes Store!
See Patent Peek part one for context and further details on “RF: Patent Peek: Apple’s Personal Mobile Radio, TV & Telephony!”
Timing
Motorola states that MXC products could be shipping by early 2006—bummer. It sure would have been nice to see a surprise launch this year. Perhaps Apple is saving this little gem for their first Intel based notebook next June. Then again, they could always add the iPod mini without MXC in this products first iteration, just to get this cool combination out in time for the Christmas shopping season!
Now it’s your turn to voice your opinion. If this specific patent point has gotten your wheels turning, then take a moment and share some of your ideas with us now. Cheers!
Free patent viewer
If you’re curious and want to see all of the patent illustrations associated with this report, then you could simply download this free patent viewer from interneTIFF. Here’s today’s Patent link and quick peek at MXC.
If you missed yesterday’s report that covers much more of this patent, then take a look now.
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Macaday Says:
Congratulations Macsimum - you sure are finding interesting stuff…
If these are the types of things in the Apple labs being played with then boy we’re in for an exciting time. My only concern will be how much I’ll be spending on all this stuff!
These may be regarded as toys by some, but Apple needs to be ahead on ideas - they generate the income to invest in more R&D;to give us the the serious stuff..
Posted on June 29, 2005
scott schor Says:
call me impatient, but I’m tired of waiting for this oft-described convergence as if it’s a religious revelation. just hurry up and give me my:
a) cradle for my phone
b) handwriting recognition for my stylus
c) voice recognition for my melodic baritone
d) antenna for my connect anywhere lifestyle
e) stethoscope for my distance doctoring
f) camera and video recorder built-in
g) iWorks software to manage it all
h) small stealthy form factor
.
.
.
i) better paying job to be able to afford it.
Posted on June 29, 2005
Neo Says:
Hey Scott, I missed the “stethescope for distant doctoring”, darn :-) - you have a good sense of humor.
Posted on June 29, 2005
Neo Says:
There seems to be a line missing in the report due to the graphic (though it could be my browser). Dennis is looking in to it. In the short term, this is what I see is missing (placed in bold print):
Think Cellular!
If you take Motorola’s MXC architecture into consideration, as was presented in a recent “Next Wave Series” chapter, then you could begin to see how Apple could actually implement cellular capabilities into this very notebook/iPod embodiment.
Hyperlink to “recent”
http://www.macsimumnews.com/index.php/archive/next_wave_trend_apples_ipod_pro_2006_a_specialized_computer
Posted on June 29, 2005
ken2 Says:
Distant doctoring may not be as far away as you think. How expensive would it be to make a somewhat inexpensive stethoscope with a mike and record the data. How about an inexpensive, hand held EKG device plugged into your Mac.Capture a 30 clip of each and email it to your doc if you are feeling “funny” or if the doc wants a weekly check.
Not something for the kids (unless they are in med school) but I’m 60 and would probably go for a reasonable priced setup.
Posted on June 29, 2005
A Deweyan Says:
This reminds me of an Apple presentation I saw many years ago while working as a Mac Salesperson at a MicroCenter. This was back in the Amelio days, just as the Pilot was becoming really hot and the Newton was in its death throes.
The Apple Rep told us about a Laptop being designed with an integrated PDA—it fit in a slot in the side like a PC card, but was a fully-functional, independent PDA.
At the time I thought it was a cool idea, but now it just seems like a gimmick—as does this idea.
Posted on June 29, 2005
Neo Says:
Re: Gimmick.
I think it has it’s place so as to cut down on carrying multiple devices. If you’re a student, you could keep your notebook in your locker at lunch and just carry your iPod. If you take your ibook to work and then work out at lunch, just popping out the iPod would be convenient.
I think to get more iPods in the hands of those not having one, by means of it integrated into an iBook, especially on the PC side through HP for now and Apple next year, is great marketing. In the game for marketshare, it’s killing 2 birds with one stone. So on that front, gimmike or not, it’ll achieve its goal. At Christmas, it’s like giving 2 gifts for the price of one. That will have appeal for sure.
Ken, that was a good point you made and that’s why it’s great to hear feedback and new ideas. Thanks for that contribution.
Posted on June 29, 2005
Zolthorg Says:
How would it fit in?
Logically, it would connect via usb…
Springs, like a battery?
Posted on June 29, 2005
Matt Says:
Where’s the touchpad on the sketch(for the laptop)? I dont think this will ever become a reality.
Posted on June 30, 2005
Doxxic Says:
What we see might be a (iPod) phone docked inside a notebook.
Still think it’s very strange. Hardly believe it.
Posted on June 30, 2005
Neo Says:
Zolthorg, It fits in via a new backside docking mechanism that is illustrated in the patent if you wish to take a look.
Matt, the Click Wheel acts as the touch pad and in fact the patent goes so far as to suggest that Apple could also introduce a seperate mouse based on the Click Wheel aspect of the iPod.
Doxxic, the patent is vague on cellular capabilities other than it could be a phone if you consider the RF range it will cover eventually. If it were to have cellular capabilities in a particular model, the iPod could be where a chip like MXC would be integrated. The patent goes on to demonstrate that docking will also be built into the iMac, so integrating the iPod into their consumer computer lines is definitely on their roadmap.
As far as looking strange, I’m sure what Apple will deliver something that’s really cool. Patent drawings are only to convey concepts and don’t reflect the true end result.
Cheers!
Neo
Posted on June 30, 2005
Ed Berg Says:
I think you all miss the point. Not only will this be a “dockable mp3 player/touch pad but it could also double (triple?) as a removable extra hard drive. I think it is a great idea.
Posted on June 30, 2005
Jon Says:
I think this is the stupidest ideas I’ve ever heard. The mini as a touch pad would ####. I would not buy this piece of crap. This would look very tacky also
Posted on June 30, 2005
Neo Says:
Well it’s one point, Ed, but not really “the” point. Interesting that you brought this up though, being that the patent provides a twist in one embodiment whereby the GUI of the iPod would be the GUI of the Notebook. That could be interpretted in two ways and it’s why I didn’t include that in the report. However, it could mean that one embodiment could be that of a thin client that fits the scenario found in this chapter of the Next Wave Series:
Posted on July 01, 2005
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Dennis Sellers
Dennis has been a newspaper editor/reporter (seven years) and teacher (seven years). He has over 4,000 magazine, newspaper and online articles to his credit. He has also covered the Mac and tech industries for over a decade for such online publications as MacCentral, MacMinute and now MacsimumNews.
Sprocket999 Says:
How sad. So many other areas they could be focusing on, but they choose the ‘toy’ factor. Don’t get me wrong, I love my iPod Mini, but . . .
Posted on June 29, 2005