A new patent lodge by Apple suggests the American multimedia giants are preparing the release of a simplified remote control that will operate a number of Apple devices. Given the title, “Apparatus and Method to Facilitate Universal Remote Control” the design describes a touchscreen control panel that will reduce the frustration of setting-up your devices.
During interviews with his biographer Walter Isaacson, Apple co-founder Steve Jobs had hinted the California-based company were set to introduce a television set that was “the simplest user interface you could imagine.”
The remarks lead many industry insider commentators to speculate the Apple´s envisioned iTV would be fitted with the voice activated software, Siri, as found in the iPhone4S. With the revelation of the recently filed patent however, it would appear the “simple” is merely a dumbed down remote control.
The filing notes state current universal remotes too many buttons and switches to controls which makes using electronic equipment unnecessarily complicated. It reads: “The controls that are not normally used clutter the remote control and can cause confusion to the user when trying to locate a seldom-used feature,” the filing notes.
In one way Apple are right. Whilst many of the buttons found on current remote controls are necessary to control all the functions of a device, the average user typically only uses a handful of the buttons. Likewise, setting up devices today is typically automatic. So is a dumbed down Universal remote really all that necessary?
Apple, it would appear, think so and argue the point that universal remotes currently on the market are more complex than the basic remote controls shipped with the specific device like a television set of Hi-Fi. Furthermore, it is often the case that the universal remotes do not replicate all the operational functions of the original remote.
“Users must spend time learning a new remote control or programming an existing universal remote each time they purchase a new remotely controllable appliance, which detracts from the enjoyment of using the appliance after it is first purchased,” Apple’s application states. “What is needed is an apparatus and a method to provide remote control over multiple appliances without the difficulties described above.”
Apple’s proposed solution is to include a “discovery mechanism” that finds available appliances for it to control and thus dismissing the need for users to enter complex codes and program individual devices. The filing describes a touchscreen remote capable of operating a television, video player, stereo, a “smart home” control system. The document also suggests the controller could be used beyond the usual household electronic appliances and transcend to home-computers, like the Mac or other PC which would allow users to play songs on iTunes or windows media.
It seems apparent that Apple´s solution to upgrading the current universal remote controls is to simplify the user interface and wirelessly transmit a specific interface to the replicating device. This would work by the allowing the touchscreen remote to receive a customized option layout and dynamically present the user with input options without the clutter of the current button-based universal remote controls.
The remote control would then detect which appliances are within range of the controller. For example, if a specific appliance could not be detected, the remote would grey that device out so the user would know it is not available.
The proposed Apple iTV and subsequent universal remote is believed to have been the last project Jobs was involved in developing before he passed away in September 2011. The universal remote patent however, is credited to Albert Visal and lodged in the same month as Job´s passing.
Another patent application lodged in January 2012 also offered a glimpse of how Apple propose to produce superior picture quality on their television set with advanced backlighting technology. The proposed invention is similar to current LED-backlit television sets which offer “local dimming,” and allows dark images on the screen to display truer blacks and more accurate colours.
The eagerly anticipated Apple iTV is reportedly scheduled for release later this year and will be available with a 32-inch screen, a 37-inch screen or even possibly a 50-inch screen. Only time will tell.
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