Here we go with the Apple patent game again, and this time around it looks like we have blasts from the past and the future. Engadget first tracked down a patent filed by Apple yesterday (pictured right) for "A cubical computer housing assembly comprises first and second ends and four sides, which define an interior compartment for housing the various computer component." Could this be the comeback of the cube? Apple obviously hasn't let the concept go gently into that good night with their cubed New York store, but since this patent is so fresh, don't expected anything to come of it anytime soon - if ever.The next patent is a bit more interesting in part because AppleInsider has quite a few juicy details, but also because it was filed over a year ago and references a phone-like Apple device which has received almost constant speculation during that time.
Check out a patent shot, published March 2006, that AppleInsider just found (thanks Jon!):
AI interviewed Shaw Wu, an American Technology Research analyst, and snagged plenty of quotes along the lines of how likely this device is, as well as the possibilities of this being a multi-functional device, switching between a phone, game player, PDA, GPS or even a remote control. Speaking of multi-function and patent ambiguity, however, we aren't finished yet.
This is yet another patent Engadget dug up, and this one was originally filed in April 26th of 2005, but published just yesterday, September 7th 2006. From the patent: "By way of example, the portable electronic device may correspond to tablet PCs, PDAs, media players (music, images, video), game players, telephones, cellular phones, mobile radios, cameras, GPS modules, remote controls, and/or the like."
So there you have it. What is 'it,' exactly? Who knows, maybe Apple's special event next week will be a multi-functional movie playing, GPS tracking, music listening, picture taking, game playing, thingamaPod (where's the 'homework doing' feature?). Or it could just be a big update to Front Row - we'll just have to wait.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
9-08-2006 @ 1:46PM
Merchant Prince said...
With respect to the first patent filing that you describe. Your description indicates that this is a patent for a . . . eh . .a box?! I think there may be some prior art for a box, now that I think of it, I am sure I have seen a box somewhere before . . now where was it ...
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9-08-2006 @ 2:39PM
TimD said...
My thoughts on the return of the cube:
Apple has two areas where they could distinguish it as something that "hasn't been done before" (not by them, at least)...
1) The often-rumored home media appliance, a beefed up mini with a larger/faster HDD and all the I/Os you would need. Apple, however, would offer something akin to the Bookshelf (http://www.gizmag.com/go/5049/) to set it apart from all your other shelf components and quite unlike any other HTPC on the market. "People don't want a computer in their livingroom"... so let's not tell them it's a computer.
2) Apple's newest angle on the enterprise market, the SoHo XServe. Or as Dan likes to call it, the Xserve mini (http://www.roughlydrafted.com/RD/Home/3FE506E2-FD6D-4FC6-BC9C-055F27279DF4.html). Basically, a small-footprint small office server that provides network storage, mail/internet gateways and collaborative services through Apple's familiar user friendly interface. (http://www.theapplecollection.com/design/macdesign/images/upload_225045.jpg -doesn't need to be multi-colored though) Like the old Cobalt Qube but with significantly improved features.
Knowing the wealth of un-used patents Apple already has though, we'll probably never see anything materialize. So it just ends up being fodder for the rumor mill and a fantasy for those of us that desire a product like this.
I wanted to work on both of these for the MacMods contest this year, but I had to go and get engaged.... now I "can't afford to be spending money on toys like that". Some women will never fully understand us geeks...
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9-08-2006 @ 3:54PM
matt said...
In my eyes, I see the cube as a new entering into the low budget market. Mabe a core solo, or pentium prosessor, plus integrated graphics and no fan, that cuts a serious amount of money from the cost.
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9-08-2006 @ 3:57PM
tnkgrl said...
I own a heavily upgraded Power Mac G4 cube (PowerLogix dual 1.2 GHz G4, Radeon AGP video card, 8x DL Superdrive, 120 GB HD, 1.5 GB RAM. Airport), so I’ve disassembled it many times…
And I can tell you that all these patents drawings apply to the Power Mac G4 cube - One of the patent drawings illustrates HD mount with its heat sink (a rail is attached to one side of the HD and fits in the groove at the bottom of the HD mount - 3 screws then secure the HD and its heat sink to the HD mount).
Another patent drawing illustrates how the Power Mac G4 cube is coooled by convection, or using an optional fan, with the CPU heat sink sandwitched between the CPU card and the HD mount.
There’s a fan mount (and fan connector) in the cube that was never used by Apple, but is used by third-party CPU upgrades - it was actually designed so that it could be shipped with faster/hotter CPUs in the future! Alas, this would never be implemented as Apple nixed the cube prematurely…
For more information, visit http://www.cubeowner.com/
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9-08-2006 @ 4:18PM
Martin said...
Just a reminder: It is not unusual that patent-filings appear a long while after the product has been released. This could just mean that Apple are clearing away old filings such as the enclosure of the G4 Cube. It is very unlikely that a new cube-computer would surface. Why go any bigger when you can already jam so much stuff into a mac mini ?
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9-08-2006 @ 5:31PM
Brian said...
You know Fig. 1F looks awfully like the Creative Zen Vision:W. My bet is that something along those lines will be unveiled. A widescreen video iPod to go with some good widescreen movies from iTunes.
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9-08-2006 @ 5:32PM
John said...
Just a thought...does anyone think that Apple may consider entering the projector foray? I realize that this patent could be really old and I may be a complete idiot, but I was thinking about media-centered products that Apple could release with that would better those on the market. Specifically, I recently saw an EPSON projector (http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/07/epson-announces-emp-twd3-projector-with-built-in-dvd-player/) with a DVD player. Could/Would Apple create a projector with large capacity HD, WIFI, Bluetooth, and maybe a media-only version of OSX? In fact, maybe just Front Row. One could transfer movies downloaded (or created in iMovie) to the projector's HD to then be projected to a wall or screen. Better yet, with DSL or Cable hooked up directly, one could download directly to the HD. DVR? Additional Combo drive? Built in speakers (perhaps a couple from the Hi-FI) would provide sound should you not use the optical audio out. Firewire 400/800. The kicker? A protective sheath and handle like in the patent picture that would allow you to take the relatively compact projector to other places. The addition of high-end WiFi would allow future Apple wireless products to recognize and stream to the projector. Who wants to crowd around an iPod to look at a clip on a 2.5" display anyway?
Again, probably a stupid idea, but one can dream.
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9-08-2006 @ 11:48PM
Jon H said...
The Cube filing is just a continuation of patents dating back to 2001.
So it's not a new Cube, it's *the* Cube.
Nothing to see here, move along.
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