Wow. I think this is an amazing concept. Its so simple you’d wonder why it hasnt been done before. I used to own an Apple Newton eMate that had a really good keyboard that was close to you unlike current laptop models where you have a touch pad and all the inside bits underneath. How cool would it be to be able to slide the keyboard towards you to type more comforably? I really hope this sees the light of day.

This concept is not new. This concept was developed in the eighties with the Milton Bradely Microvision, which you can find on Ebay. It was probably the first handheld cartridge based game. Precursor to the Gameboy. The whole face plate was the cartridge and the pad was different for each game.

I think this is good idea, but I dont want to carry around all of these little add-ons with my laptop. I just want one device. It would be better for it to be a touch screen in the keyboard area and just change the display with what you want to control the device.

I actually wrote a letter to Apple about a year ago suggesting something like this; I doubt they even read it but I’m glad to see it might actually get somewhere.

Jamie C
“…This however, requires the user to look carefully at the surface while the touch pad is being used thereby slowing down productivity. Furthermore, it provides no indication of whether something has been selected.”

While this isn’t a new concept, I wouldn’t imagine that the idea of “user customizable modules” would be very popular, just because most people already have a bag full of crap to lug around with a laptop device as an example, and really no difference in functionality when having to carry a joystick, numeric keypad, piano keys, etc as you would now. Where I think this might be a big breakthrough tho is in manufacturing of dedicated/pervasive devices. One could build a generic slate, in which the slate is an standard platform. Then to manufacture a music oriented device, versus a game oriented device - the difference is in the software and user input module.

This is great stuff. That means that even after this switch to Intel Apple still have quite a bit in their plate. I really believe that 2007 will be amazing for Apple.

———————
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Visit http://www.mostofmymac.com

The big advantage to a system like this is having multiple tactical interfaces providing different feed back experiences. I would love something like this on my laptop. When I travel I just bring what I need. I’d imagine the biggest issue would be making sure not to lose of the attachments…

“Its so simple you’d wonder why it hasnt been done before.”

Ummm……

This is a great idea, no doubt but I may have to agree with Jamie C (comment #3), that carrying around a bunch of add ons may be a pain.

I only find one problem with this and that is that why would i want one, basically Apple are doing a Microsoft making life complex.

[...] Apple proposes ‘blank’ iPod/phone/MacBook just add buttons hrmpf on November 16th, 2006 [...]

[...] Apple has just filed a new patent application for the adding of physical controls (like buttons or slides etc) to the touch sensitive surfaces of electronic devices. Apple seems to propose that you take a ‘blank’ iPod and add a wheel for a standard iPod, add a keypad to make it a phone - add a joystick to make it a game machine…read more | digg story [...]

The Sony Ericson P900 keyboard is implemented in a similar manner except it isn’t interchangable.

Oh my god ! Please make this !

Apple has done this before on the original Mac Portable. The trackpad module could be removed and a numeric keypad installed, by a user.

[...] Apple has just filed a new patent application for the adding of physical controls (like buttons or slides etc) to the touch sensitive surfaces of electronic devices. Apple seems to propose that you take a ‘blank’ iPod and add a wheel for a standard iPod, add a keypad to make it a phone - add a joystick to make it a game machine…read more | digg story [...]

I can see that Jim and others like him don’t get it. You would not have a bunch of stuff to lug around. You carry around the part’s you use most often. If you spend a great deal of time composing music you would carry the piano keyboard. Remember, if you have a macbook and you want a piano keyboard you need a separate case to carry that plus a cable. Composing on a plane or in a park would be out of the question. With your piano keyboard right on your macbook…no limitations!

I came up with this idea about 3 months ago…I guess I should have patented it

how about an ultrasound probe than can be attached to usb or firewire? this will be very helpful to doctors especially radiologists and ob-gyn sonologist

[...] The other approach is one taken by Palm and now by Apple: a touch screen that can simulate multiple interfaces. A keyboard and mouse can have true differences in feel and design — but the modes of interaction are well established. A blank touchpad interface that can be visually designed and programmed presents new interaction opportunities for a small form factor device. [...]

This might make manufacturing less expensive - i.e. a common chassis that can be customized for a multitude of components. But it seems to go hard against the Apple mantra of “simpler is better”.
Harvey
Zunerama

[...] Apple proposes ‘blank’ iPod/phone/MacBook just add buttons [hrmpf] [...]

A friend and business partner began developing an idea similar to this for a PDA system. but the project never really came to fruition due to other commitments. But I’m glad that Apple have been the ones to really pick up on it.

A good concept if you manage to get the accessory attached in a mechanically and electrically robust way. Nobody wants to play on a cheap, rattling musical keyboard. And at the same time it should be easily (and “hot” )removable, too. Maybe make the screen removable as well? But if it’s meant to be a “normal” notebook as well, the regular keyboard should be built-in. The other devices have to go on top of the keyboard, I think. Otherwise it’s getting too modular…”oh NO - I forgot the keyboard-attachement and took the mixing desk - attachment with me instead”. Urrrgh

Noone seemed to notice haptic feedback in patent :
http://appft1.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PG01&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=%2220060026536%22.PGNR.&OS=DN/20060026536&RS=DN/20060026536

[...] This is what is being described in the recent patent filled by Apple Inc. Read more from hrmph.com [...]

[...] Apple a déposé un brevet pour des interfaces interchangeables sur leurs laptops et le iPod. Avec ce concept, votre MacBook peut devenir un clavier midi, une console audio ou un jeu vidéo et votre iPod peut être devenir un téléphone ou un PDA. [...]

[...] Apple a déposé un brevet pour des interfaces interchangeables sur leurs laptops et le iPod. Avec ce concept, votre MacBook peut devenir un clavier midi, une console audio ou un jeu vidéo et votre iPod peut devenir un téléphone ou un PDA. [...]

A removable keyboard would be a great way to solve the localization problem: you could have the same MacBook with an English or a French keyboard, or many more as you need.
This would also reduce the manufacturing cost.

This is one of the worst ideas I’ve seen recently.

For one, as was already stated, this strays far from Apple’s ’simpler is better’. A system like this would add unneeded complication when there are already very simple solutions. A touchscreen is a simple, flat, fully-contained device that will allow much of the functionality most users need for specialized software.

The article did bring up the issue of input feedback. For example, if you had a piano keyboard on your touchscreen you would likely not be very satisfied with the results, as there is no way to feel a key being pressed. My opinion holds that the solution to this is an external keyboard. No, you can’t easily lug it to the park, or on a flight to compose, but those are inherent limitations of mobile computers. We have to accept that there are some uses that mobile computers are great for, and others that should stay at your desk.

I’d be thrilled if there were a good system for accomplishing these specialized tasks mobiley, I’m not against the idea - it’s just that this patent application does not hold the key.

I’ve given my opinion, but not yet supported it, so allow me to describe the main practical hindrances to the proposed system.

The biggest thing is the physical complication. No matter what approach is taken, there is physical complication added to your device. Moving parts are something we try to cut down on as much as possible on electronic devices for one main reason: they break. These things will break, they will get accidentally broken off, damaging your notebook. Moving parts = bad.

The second thing that came to mind was attaching my piano keyboard, or worse, joystick, and inadvertently shutting the lid of my mobile, or someone bumping it closed. Imagine the horrid scratches that would make their way onto most people’s screens. Even if it’s not my screen that gets axed, just having an object protrude from the smooth faces of my notebook would be outrageous. Over time there is bound to be something that comes along and hits this thing - knocking it off and breaking the “mount” or whatever method used to attach it.

All in all what I seem to be telling myself is simply that more physical complication is bad. The more we can remove from the physical body of mobile devices the better.

Besides all that, my 13″ MacBook is 13″ for a reason - I can carry it around easily without a bag or case. It wouldn’t be practical for many people to carry modules with them.

[...] Apple has just filed a new patent application for the adding of physical controls (like buttons or slides etc) to the touch sensitive surfaces of electronic devices. Apple seems to propose that you take a ‘blank’ iPod and add a wheel for a standard iPod, add a keypad to make it a phone - add a joystick to make it a game machine…read more | digg story Links [...]

Finally. Does this mean I can finally put a two button trackpad on my Mac?

[...] Button-less modular designIt looks like Apple could take an interesting approach to the iPhone’s form factor. A new patent filing hints that Apple may allow a button-less touchscreen iPod to transform into a phone by simply adding a sleeve of sorts. Seems like a bit of a reach to me, but potentially promising at the same time. Apple has just filed a new patent application for the adding of physical controls (like buttons or slides etc) to the touch sensitive surfaces of electronic devices. Apple seems to propose that you take a ‘blank’ iPod and add a wheel for a standard iPod, add a keypad to make it a phone - add a joystick to make it a game machine [...]

[...] [...]