Accessories

Apple Receives Six New Patents: New MacBook, Dock Designs Coming?

Apple today received not one but six patents for a variety of items, including an iPhone/iPod touch stand, an amplification system, a form of speech synthesis, and something it calls a “computing device” that looks a lot like a MacBook to us. Also, a new earbud/lanyard design, and a new backlighting scheme. Keep in mind, some of these patents might be for things Apple already sells, it’s a common practice and is responsible for the “patent pending” phrase on some products. Others, though, like the stand, haven’t been seen by eyes outside Apple, and it makes us curious if we ever will. [MacNN]

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Apple to release new iPhone/iPod touch dock?

Electronista reports on a patent filing for an iPhone/iPod touch dock that could allow you to both charge and play video in landscape mode, simultaneously. The patent was filed on September 5, 2007 — near the time of the iPod touch debut. The so-called “dock” looks more like the tiny holder that ships with the iPod touch, with the exception of a dock connector plugged in.

Apple does, however, file patents that it might not ever use — as do most other companies. What do you think? Could this be a new dock design, or is it the patent for the included iPod touch stand? [electronista]

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Apple to release new iPhone/iPod touch dock?

Electronista reports on a patent filing for an iPhone/iPod touch dock that could allow you to both charge and play video in landscape mode, simultaneously. The patent was filed on September 5, 2007 — near the time of the iPod touch debut. The so-called “dock” looks more like the tiny holder that ships with the iPod touch, with the exception of a dock connector plugged in.

Apple does, however, file patents that it might not ever use — as do most other companies. What do you think? Could this be a new dock design, or is it the patent for the included iPod touch stand? [electronista]

Popularity: 10% [?]

Mac 101: Pairing/Unpairing Apple remotes

If you’re like me, then you have multiple Macs with IR sensors in the same room. What happens when you push the menu button on your Apple remote? Chances are it will launch Front Row on every Mac in the room. I had this problem until I discovered Apple remote pairing.

To pair your remote with a specific Mac or Apple TV, just hold down the menu and the next (fast forward) buttons for 5 seconds making sure you’re within 5 inches of the IR sensor on the device.

You can unpair a remote by going into System Preferences (Apple menu > System Preferences) and click security. From the Security System Preference pane, select the “Unpair” button at the bottom the preference pane.

Lastly, you can disable the use of remotes all together. To do this, head back to the Security System Preference pane and click the check box labeled “Disable remote control infrared receiver.” This will keep rogue remotes away from your Mac.

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iPhone Apps We Want To Like: A-Level Could Replace the Floating-Bubble Level, Soon

I was really excited to see A-Level hit the App Store today—I’ve actually needed to use a level recently, but I don’t have one. And replacing a physical tool with a 99-cent mobile software app is what the future’s all about, right? But after grabbing it and giving it a test, it’s a well-executed app but with one fatal flaw: you can’t re-zero your accelerometers.
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