Apple Wiimote-esque patent revealed
by Scott Jon Siegel 
{ May 11th 2008 at 7:00PM }
The patent describes using absolute and relative positioning of a pointer device in relation to two points positioned near a television screen (sound familiar?). According to the patent, this will allow the device to detect the movement of the remote in three dimensions. Apple has a tendency to patent anything and everything that goes through their offices, so odds are this device won't be Steve Jobs' "One More Thing" at the Worldwide Developers Conference in June. Still, we wonder how Nintendo feels about Apple's cute little idea.
[Via Engadget]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Fatass of Haikuness @ May 11th 2008 7:06PM
If Apple did utilize this tech I doubt it'd be for gaming. Probably text entry and menu navigation, I could see how it'd make a difference there.
LAWL @ May 11th 2008 7:14PM
If its a pattent problem theres the problem.
But if not,its just a mechanics style copy,then its ok specialy considering that Nintendo copyd Apples "look" on many things.
Still,it seems a good control style for a apple tv,good control yet intuitive,like nintendo wanted for the wii,and like apple tends to be.
Cesaria (MKW:2621-2994-1376) @ May 11th 2008 7:17PM
You know, I'd love the pointer aspect of the Wiimote to be applied to televisions. It would really streamline everything and make it easier. I wish to this day that I could use my wiimote to access my tv, dvd, and Wii. That would be so bad ass.
Raikage (LDF CRAB BATTLE!!!) @ May 11th 2008 7:30PM
"That would be so bad"
Control your TV with the power glove?!
Ordeith @ May 11th 2008 7:36PM
If you are willing to do the work it has been possible for some time now to get a WiiMote to work with a PC, even in Media Center.
Cesaria (MKW:2621-2994-1376) @ May 11th 2008 7:50PM
Eh, that's what a mouse is for. Unless you can convince me some other functions that would benefit the work.
Cesaria (MKW:2621-2994-1376) @ May 11th 2008 8:17PM
Hahaha, Raikage. It took me a few minutes to get that, but I finally did. I must applaud you, because that was an extremely well constructed and obscure joke. +the internets
TheHuntIsOn @ May 11th 2008 7:19PM
Could be useful as a general analogue input, for spooling through video footage or applying effects in Logic. I don't want anything like this for day to day computer navigation.
samfish @ May 11th 2008 7:24PM
Yeah, they're probably going to package this with the next version of AppleTV or something.
I wouldn't be surprised to see a handful of games be made available for it, but I doubt Apple is going to try and get into the clusterfuck between Nintendo, Sony and MS.
Crumpilstilskin @ May 11th 2008 7:30PM
WOW! You mean Apple is stealing someone else's idea and claiming it as their own?? No WAY!! They've never done THAT before!!!
Raikage (LDF CRAB BATTLE!!!) @ May 11th 2008 7:34PM
Hmmm, someone needs a history lesson...
TheHuntIsOn @ May 12th 2008 5:10AM
Apparently so.
Martez @ May 12th 2008 10:33AM
More like someone needs sarcasm lessons.
*WHOOSH*
Zeromaru @ May 11th 2008 7:34PM
I had an idea once for a 30" iMac (with some upgradability, such as harddrive and video card), with a full-featured TV Tuner, and most importantly, an integrated LED bar for use with the Wii Remote, which it would be designed to use as a mouse (and provide integration with an optional Wii).
Raikage (LDF CRAB BATTLE!!!) @ May 11th 2008 7:36PM
My only thought was...
Coming Soon = 3 years and a port
:P
tmacairjordan87 @ May 11th 2008 7:38PM
The people who love ratchet and uncharted they probably will remember those games. You think because you don't like them they will disappear with time.
And every nintendo fanboy gets excited for the new zelda, it's only about a year after they come out they complain about them (recent ones like wind waker and TP)
tmacairjordan87 @ May 11th 2008 7:41PM
Also, nintendo makes it impossible to forget about their characters because they're constantly rehashing them.
Cesaria (MKW:2621-2994-1376) @ May 11th 2008 7:55PM
I agree, Fernando. Nintendo has made memorable characters that will last generations. Their designs are unique. Who will remember Drake (?) the completely cookie cutter action hero? Ratchet looks like Bubsy and Ratchet is completely uninspired. The games may be good, but they don't have the inspired design to last generations. Even alright games like Halo will outlast these because of the iconic and unique designs.
ThornedVenom (Harley Quinn Defense Force) @ May 11th 2008 8:12PM
The technology looks so similar to Nintendo's that I have a hard time believing that they managed to patent it. Heck, I think that there were other people claiming that the PC did it before.
Night Elve @ May 11th 2008 8:19PM
Certainly I will remember Drake and Ratched because I love those games and you will remember Link, Mario and Company because you love those games.
So what's your point? Everyone remember what love most.
Lekko @ May 11th 2008 9:29PM
So what you're saying is Nintendo fanboys are incapable of remembering more than 5 or so good games?
I don't know about you, but I'm mentally competent enough to remember Snake, Cloud, Master chief, Ryu, Sonic, Mario, Link, Eve, Ico, Gordan Freeman, Crash, Spyro, Andrew Ryan, Sirrus, Bond, Turok, Tommy Vercetti, Kane, Sub-zero, Pikachu, Kain, Sweet Tooth, Ratchet, Tidus, Kratos, the King of Cosmos, Sly, Daxter, KOS-MOS...
Pyramat @ May 11th 2008 11:03PM
Is it supposed to so "Cal us crazy,"?
TheHuntIsOn @ May 12th 2008 4:58AM
That's true. Zelda, Samus, Mario will go on forever. Maybe not so much Samus though. Much more inspired characters than the others. But hey that's what Nintendo has been doing for 2 decades now. Looking at the Wii and DS - they know what to do more than the other 2!
The last "new" character that stuck with me was Spyro. Everything after has just been some generic fuck fest of inbred super soldiers and yet another chiselled, gruff, intense man on an island.