Apple has filed a patent application for a gadget dock that conforms to the shape and size of whatever you plop upon it.
The filing, self-confidently entitled "Aesthetically pleasing universal dock," describes a desktop charging and connectivity adapter that's constructed in such a way as to modify its grip to accommodate …
All apple iPodWhatevers use the same connector, but have a different foot print. Changind the connector to fix this problem would just mean that you have more devices that don't fit into the one stand properly and would therefore need even more of those easily losable little plastic bits.
A combination of the two (standard connector /and/ morphing adapter) might be a nice idea.
I believe that the article is about a holder to take the weight of the device, not to actually connect to it. Presumably a micro USB socket cannot reasonably support the weight of a device without breaking after the 100th plug/unplug.
Personally I employ a small trained monkey to bear the weight of my mobile devices.
Apple's dock connector does a lot more than just charge and transfer data. It also transfers audio, control signals from remotes (e.g. on car steering wheels), video, and a few other things if I'm not mistaken. Apple's best bet for complying with that particular law is probably to put a mini USB port on the bottom *as well* as the dock connector.
There was never a /rule/ about connectors. The phone companies got together and finally decided to agree on a universal connector rather than spread the abundance of different connectors where even two phones by the same company didn't have the same connector (e.g. Samsung U600 & U900). There's nothing stopping Apple adopting the same standard, although it would make a mess of the iPod add-on market which has largely relied on the connector for iPods being fairly static.
Motorola have a head start on this, my work phone charges up over a standard USB connector which is the same cable that Nikon ship with their SLRs; saved me a load of hassle when I forgot to bring the cable home...
My phone, BT headphones and several other devices now all charge (or trickle charge) from USB. If someone could just convince Cowon that they don't need to have stupid proprietary connectors on their otherwise excellent devices, I'd only have to carry one cable for anything, ever!
those silver spiky gadgets that you push your hand into to make a handprint....found in most gadget shops.....it adapts to whatever is pushed into it...royalties please...
Let's assume Apple get this patent awarded. It has to be the easiest one ever to exploit without fear of legal action - if I design a "universal dock" which works in exactly the same way but is styled to be brute ugly Apple can't touch me. After all, their patent is for an "aesthetically pleasing" one!
Whatever happened to "obvious to one skilled in the art"
So this patent application doesn't actually propose a solution to a specific problem, it just offers some general "wouldn't it be cool if" type, non-specific handwaving?
Most of the readers of the Reg are "skilled in the art" of non-specific hand-waving, and this is pretty obvious to them, so until Apple actually make a working model, they should be told to bugger off.
Register
Apple has filed a patent application for a gadget dock that conforms to the shape and size of whatever you plop upon it. The filing, self-confidently entitled "Aesthetically pleasing universal dock," describes a desktop charging and connectivity adapter that's constructed in such a way as to modify its grip to accommodate …
or switch to a 'standard' connector?
I thought that the EU had a rule about proprietary phone connectors now? mini & micro USB would be easier to deal with, no?
A standard connector?
"We are the iBorg. Resistance is not aesthetically pleasing."
The problem isnt with connectors
All apple iPodWhatevers use the same connector, but have a different foot print. Changind the connector to fix this problem would just mean that you have more devices that don't fit into the one stand properly and would therefore need even more of those easily losable little plastic bits.
A combination of the two (standard connector /and/ morphing adapter) might be a nice idea.
Nope
Just some makers have got together and agreed that if they were to use a standard it would be a mini usb.
missed point
I believe that the article is about a holder to take the weight of the device, not to actually connect to it. Presumably a micro USB socket cannot reasonably support the weight of a device without breaking after the 100th plug/unplug.
Personally I employ a small trained monkey to bear the weight of my mobile devices.
It's not the connector.
All iPods and iPhones use the same connector, it's because of differences in the shape of the devices that the dock adapter is required.
Yes, but also no.
Apple's dock connector does a lot more than just charge and transfer data. It also transfers audio, control signals from remotes (e.g. on car steering wheels), video, and a few other things if I'm not mistaken. Apple's best bet for complying with that particular law is probably to put a mini USB port on the bottom *as well* as the dock connector.
Err...
"""It also transfers audio, control signals from remotes (e.g. on car steering wheels), video, and a few other things if I'm not mistaken. """
What's to stop them sending all of that data over usb, like everyone else?
"""Apple's dock connector does a lot more than just charge and transfer data."""
Ah, right, so video, audio, and control signals aren't data! Silly me!
duh
The wire parts are universal across ipods/phones.
It's the SHAPE of the devices which are different.
Duh.
@ dave 93
There was never a /rule/ about connectors. The phone companies got together and finally decided to agree on a universal connector rather than spread the abundance of different connectors where even two phones by the same company didn't have the same connector (e.g. Samsung U600 & U900). There's nothing stopping Apple adopting the same standard, although it would make a mess of the iPod add-on market which has largely relied on the connector for iPods being fairly static.
Motorola have a head start on this, my work phone charges up over a standard USB connector which is the same cable that Nikon ship with their SLRs; saved me a load of hassle when I forgot to bring the cable home...
I'm starting to see similar
My phone, BT headphones and several other devices now all charge (or trickle charge) from USB. If someone could just convince Cowon that they don't need to have stupid proprietary connectors on their otherwise excellent devices, I'd only have to carry one cable for anything, ever!
Not entirely voluntary
I seem to recall that the Chinese government made their preference for a single connector known, and the EU were making noises about the issue too.
So while there may not have been regulations actually put in place, the device manufacturers were nudged in the right direction.
a bit like...
those silver spiky gadgets that you push your hand into to make a handprint....found in most gadget shops.....it adapts to whatever is pushed into it...royalties please...
So...
Like all apple goods the main thing is that it looks good?
@dave 93
It's not about the connector - it's an automatic, aesthetically-pleasing, form-fitting 'slot' around said connector.
Which will of course remain proprietary and cost millions for a licence to use.
Easily beaten patent!
Let's assume Apple get this patent awarded. It has to be the easiest one ever to exploit without fear of legal action - if I design a "universal dock" which works in exactly the same way but is styled to be brute ugly Apple can't touch me. After all, their patent is for an "aesthetically pleasing" one!
Mighty Morphin' Power Arrangers?
title --
Coat
OK, so they patented .. a sponge?
All you need is a sponge in the right shape, or one of those slow deforming gels. Surely there is a degree of obviousness here..
Gently Grasping Bottoms
Surely you don't need a patent for this? I've been doing it for years!
Hardly patentable
USB cable + blob of blu-tack. Job done.
Over-engineered American grot
"I believe that the use of a piece of Blu-Tack, about the size of a runner bean, will resolve the problem."
You what?
Surely you can't patent a sponge?
Isn't the 'agreement'
about the charging connector - so that one simple connector can charge every phone (except the iPhone that is) - NOT about a data connection.
Perfect adaptor
I have a new invention which will change the way we think about plugging things into things while supporting their weight and keeping them in places.
Put the iPod in a hole upside down and attach the connector from above via a wire.
Whatever happened to "obvious to one skilled in the art"
So this patent application doesn't actually propose a solution to a specific problem, it just offers some general "wouldn't it be cool if" type, non-specific handwaving?
Most of the readers of the Reg are "skilled in the art" of non-specific hand-waving, and this is pretty obvious to them, so until Apple actually make a working model, they should be told to bugger off.