Upcoming Talking iPod?
Several readers are reporting on an article in from Scotsman that discusses the possibility of a talking iPod.
The article is based on a recent patent applications that were originally reported on in May. The patents describe methods to accomplish this by using a desktop computer to perform the Text-to-Speech conversion, offloading this processing from the iPod itself. This would provide the highest quality speech while minimizing the hardware required in the iPod itself.
The incentive to provide speech-prompts is one of safety concerns. The Scotsman cites a couple of iPod-related accidents in which users were distracted from the road.
The new iPod will tell you what it is about to play, removing the need for users to look at the screen while selecting music, and making the device safer and easier to use while driving, cycling or in badly-lit locations.
The article is based on a recent patent applications that were originally reported on in May. The patents describe methods to accomplish this by using a desktop computer to perform the Text-to-Speech conversion, offloading this processing from the iPod itself. This would provide the highest quality speech while minimizing the hardware required in the iPod itself.
The incentive to provide speech-prompts is one of safety concerns. The Scotsman cites a couple of iPod-related accidents in which users were distracted from the road.
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73 months ago
Not apple-like, they are about the music, not about some voice coming up and talking while your listeing to your music.
73 months ago
The Rumors are hot today, eh?
I'm sure you'll be able to turn "Driving Mode" on/off.
Not apple-like, they are about the music, not about some voice coming up and talking while your listeing to your music.
I'm sure you'll be able to turn "Driving Mode" on/off.
73 months ago
i guess my music is at the core of what i want to listen to, not the computer voice mispronouncing anything but very very english names. shame to hear of this
73 months ago
i think it's a great idea. the new sbc voice sounds amazing, really like a human. this is something the rockbox open source firmware has had availible for sometime now. at least apple is catching up on a great feature.
73 months ago
The incentive to provide speech-prompts is one of safety concerns. The Scotsman cites a couple of iPod-related accidents in which users were distracted from the road.
Speech prompts for accident prevention? Unless it's linked up to a GPS and knows where everything around you is I'm not sure what the point would be... then again Apple has surprised before.
Did you ever know that you're my hero,
and everything I would like to
Don't forget to look both ways before you cross the street!
eagle,
for you are the wind beneath my wings.
I guess it could tell you song, artist, album but my version is more humorous. :)
73 months ago
"The article is based on a recent patent applications"
A lot of Apple patents never make it to products, nor were ever planned to.
Slow operation of menus read aloud almost sounds MORE distracting to me--and certainly more time-consuming.
It's a neat thought, but you can't save people from doing stupid things. Just because someone CAN use their iPod eyes-free doesn't mean they will.
A lot of Apple patents never make it to products, nor were ever planned to.
Slow operation of menus read aloud almost sounds MORE distracting to me--and certainly more time-consuming.
It's a neat thought, but you can't save people from doing stupid things. Just because someone CAN use their iPod eyes-free doesn't mean they will.
73 months ago
This could be a cool feature, however Apple would have to make it optional, as somethnig you could turn on or turn off. I wouldn't want my iPod announcing what song is coming up next all the time, perhaps only when I am driving, etc. But even then, if I've built the playlist or I'm listening to an album, I have a pretty good idea of what song is coming next anyway, so I'm not sure if I'd ever even use this feature. I can see where some people would though, so good on Apple for trying to address everyone's needs.
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