Abracadabra: Apple Files Patent for Magic Wand
4:09 am, March 16th, 2009, Nicole Martinelli
Apple has filed a patent for a wireless “remote wand” with the idea of adding it to future versions of Apple TV. The wand would give users with control over a cursor on the Apple TV screen, sort of like a mouse controls a cursor on a computer. The wand would also give Apple TV three-dimensional controls similar to those offered by Nintendo’s Wii controller.
According to Apple Insider, unlike the current 5-button remote on the current version of Apple TV, the wand can control a number of functions and can be used to zoom, as a keyboard application, an image application, an illustration application and a media application.
According to Apple, the Apple TV media system could identify movements of the wand using any suitable motion detection component, such as an embedded accelerometer or a gyroscope.
“The wand may include an optical component for capturing images of the infrared modules, and may calculate its orientation and distance from the modules based on the captured images,” the company said. “In some embodiments, the electronic device may direct the infrared modules to identify the position of an infrared emitter incorporated on the wand, and may calculate the absolute position of the wand relative to the infrared modules.”
More on Apple Insider
Posted by Nicole Martinelli in AppleTV | Comment on this article
Why couldnt an iPhone be used as a wand?
tcb, on March 16th, 2009 at 4:43 am
The Apple Wiimote!!
BeachDude, on March 16th, 2009 at 10:02 am
This would be a welcomed improvement. As of now, the best way to control Apple TV is the Remote app on an iPhone. Now, if they could just get the Apple TV to stop being so buggy….
The Idiot, on March 16th, 2009 at 1:45 pm
I hope that this is the remote for the REAL Apple TV — the one with a computer built in.
8^ ]
CaryMG, on March 16th, 2009 at 2:28 pm
I hope this is the remote for the REAL Apple TV — a HiD TV with a computer built in.
8^ ]
CaryMG, on March 16th, 2009 at 2:29 pm
I hope this isn’t the remote for a future or current apple tv. The wiimote concept is terrible for a controller to select and pick things it would drive me nutty to say the least. The current remote is fine but a better option would be to include extra buttons to go to the subsections of the main main rather than having to go back > back > back selct.
Paul Devine, on March 17th, 2009 at 5:53 am