ON TALKATIVE NEW APPLE iPODS?

STRETCH FOR THE NEXT ONE

For the record, I'm jazzed that Apple's next iPods may have clever and subtle integration of text-to-speech capabilities that enable "eyes-off" navigation of the device.

While the focus is on making the iPod safer to use while driving, running, biking etc., I think it could represent an important shift in the way user interfaces for devices of all times evolve for many mainstream electronic gizmos, including cell phones and PDAs.

The original report on this potential new feature came from the Scotsman a few days ago:

"A new generation of machines will use sophisticated software to convert the names of bands, albums and individual tracks into recognisable speech."

If it were just stopped there with the text-to-speech conversion, it wouldn't be as interesting.  What caught my eye though was the following bit:

"Users of the music players will still operate the Clickweel as normal, but hear the names of songs and bands through their headphones."

Besides the clever off-loading of the processor-intensive stuff off the iPod, the cool bit seems to be how iPod interface morphs to an audio-enabled capability, that supplements the regular interface as needed.

Gives a whole new meaning to "Can you hear me now?"

Now if they can just implement this approach to operating the audio/navigational stuff in my car...then mainstream users hopefully wouldn't be bombarded with those annoying legal splash screens on the navigation screen every time one tries to change the station on the radio.

NOTE ABOUT THE PICTURE:  From time to time I'll add a picture from Flickr that is both cool to look at, and hopefully has a metaphoric connection with the subject of the post that day.

Today's picture from Flickr is titled "Holga, single exposure", by gwendoly".

Comments

[Lauren]

Now if they can just implement this approach to operating the audio/navigational stuff in my car...then mainstream users hopefully wouldn't be bombarded with those annoying legal splash screens on the navigation screen every time one tries to change the station on the radio.

You are right!!