Patent bares rumor: Apple TV gearing up for games?
(Credit:
USPTO)
It seems the success Apple has achieved with gaming on the iPhone might spill over from pockets to living rooms. The makers of the iPhone have filed a set patents for a Wii-style wireless controller that looks to be made for the Apple TV and could be used for a number of applications.
The patent filing, including the image above, clearly shows an icon for Safari, as well as images that appear to be an iPhoto-like app.
The filing, which describes a "remote wand for controlling the operations of a media system," specifically uses the Apple TV as a reference. Could this mean games on the device?
(Credit:
CNET)
The Apple TV is a fairly powerful product for what little it currently does. Don't get me wrong, I love the device. I have one and use it almost every day. It's the easiest way to get my movie fix on in my living room, and the Flickr and YouTube functionality is amazing, as well as fun at parties.
Right now, though, that's about all it's good for. Apple has put together a pretty good method for distributing games (and other apps) via the iTunes App Store. And because the basic operating system on the Apple TV is very similar to the iPhone's, it wouldn't be too big of a jump to develop for it.
I'm excited about the prospect. Imagine playing a game like Light Bike on a 720p TV with surround sound. And if Apple TV app development is anything like the iPhone's, you could see an avalanche of good, inexpensive games.
It wouldn't aim to compete with the Xbox 360 or the PS3, but the guys at Nintendo might want to keep an eye on what Apple ends up doing with this patent filing, if anything.
(Via PC World)
With more than 15 years experience testing hardware (and being obsessed with it), Crave freelance writer Matt Hickey can tell the good gadgets from the great. He also has a keen eye for future technology trends. Matt has blogged for publications including TechCrunch, CrunchGear, and most recently, Gizmodo. E-mail Matt. 
- by robertorosco March 16, 2009 7:19 AM PDT
- One word.. Pippin
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- by Synthmeister March 16, 2009 8:50 AM PDT
- This is in no way like Pippin. With Pippin Apple managed to leverage absolutely nothing from their core strengths. Not the hardware, software, developers or apps. (Same problem with the Newton, BTW.)<br /><br />With AppleTV they are already leveraging their OS, their iTunes Store and their iLife software. Simply adding AppleTV to the AppStore developers program seems like a pretty easy option with very little downside for Apple. The hardware, the OS, the App Store, the developers platform and even the Apps are already there, Apple just has to tweak them a little. (And yes, I'm sure Apple realizes that the iPhone resolution won't work well on a 1080p HDTV.) <br /><br />The real question is "What has Apple got to lose by going this route?" There is almost no downside financially. Apple has already spent the money on 90% of the necessary tech. Frankly, I'm surprised we haven't already seen Safari, Mail and Facebook on AppleTV using the iPhone and iPod touch as an controller.<br /><br />With Pippin, Apple couldn't leverage anything, with AppleTV, Apple can leverage almost everything in it's arsenal with almost no financial risk. That's why they call it a HOBBY!
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