It has been revealed that iPod makers Apple are making a clip-on with a built-in speaker. Though the idea does not give specifics as to which devices the clip-on is intended for, diagrams show the same clip currently carried by the iPod Nano and iPod Shuffle.
The plan to introduce a clip with an integrated speaker was published in an application filed with the US Patent and Trademark office titled, “Speaker Clip.” The invention is expected to be a new introduction for the next-generation of iPod Nano and iPod Shuffle, and though it carries the same form factor as the current rear-facing clip, the patent shows a central cavity filled with an “acoustical device,” – presumably a speaker.
The patent does not give details as to what benefits or options the user will get from having an integrated speaker, though cheapest-iPod.com are concerned it could be used for sharing music. Though the iPod speaker will give a better sound quality that the awful tinny mess teenagers insist on listening to through their smartphones, we don´t think it´s a good idea for Apple to encourage people to share their music with their friends in public – simply because the people that do that listen to awful music – if you can even call it that!
Alternatively, the speaker could be used as an improved user-interface that features a series of clicks and simple sounds to create a more intuitive user experience. Alternatively it could have a voice-simulator informing the user which screen or file they are in so they don´t need to look at the display. The sensitive touch-screen integrated in the Nano last year is not possible to use accurately when clipped to the users belt or inside coat pocket.
The patent also notes that any kind of acoustic speaker might be used for the device, though the logical chose would be a piezoelectric speaker which works from electronic frequencies when fitted to solid materials like metal or crystal. This kind of speaker can be covered by a perforated protective layer, keeping it safe from the elements, but at the same time allowing sound to pass through with a reasonable degree of sound quality.
The last-generation Nano was launched in September 2010 after being upgraded with the touchscreen that had made the iPod Touch such a popular device. Despite the addition of the touchscreen, the sixth-generation Nano is 46 per cent smaller and 42 per cent lighter that its predecessors and carries 16GB of storage space. And the latest patent shows Apple still looking at ways of improving their gadgets.
There has been some evidence that Apple is keen to improve the usability and functionality of the iPod Nano to make it easier for users to skip tracks, change volume and scroll through their music library easier. Used in the right way it would appear that the speaker clip is the first step towards achieving that.
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