Tuesday, January 22,2008 @ 1:00pm
Apple patents Shuffle-like remote control
Apple today won six new patents published by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office, one of which depicts a remote control that closely resembles its current-generation iPod shuffle portable music player. The remote control features a belt clip built into the backing, and clearly defines a circular feature which could be a click-wheel on the front side. Apple does not describe the function of the remote, but offers a picture with the device attached via a cable to another device.
Apple four other patents relate to the design for a lanyard, two variant iPod shuffles, and technology for producing smooth motion compensated frames by combining multiple interpolation results.
The company also filed a trademark application for the MacBook Air with the European Trademark Office, while the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office lists Apple's filing for its new Time Capsule external storage device.