Another patent from Apple was recently published through the USPTO showing a type of text-to-voice system entitled “Multimedia data transfer for a personal communication device”.

The patent describes a system for transferring data between mobile, personal communication devices such as phones, walkie talkies or maybe even iPhone nano’s. According to Macnn the system would lend itself nicely to those with visual impairments since it transfers text between devices and the receiving device could then read the text aloud through a speaker.

A notable difference between this system and and traditional texting data transfers is that this does not use a traditional protocol or intermediary server to handle the messaging. Instead it transfers the data directly between the devices through standard audio communication channels.

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Not surprisingly, Apple and AT&T are seeing their first class action lawsuit over the iPhone regarding its internal battery. According to the filed suit the allegations state, “The battery enclosed in the iPhone can only be charged approximately 300 times before it will be in need of replacement, necessitating a new battery annually for owners of the iPhone.”

The Plaintiff claims that he did not know, nor was disclosed to the public prior to purchase, that the iPhone battery was in a sealed unit with the battery soldered in place. I don’t know how far this will really go since Apple’s website states that the battery will retain 80% of its original capacity after 400 charging cycles. Either way we all knew it would happen eventually and the non-removable battery in iPods and iPhones have been a …

The nosy sleuths (and we like nosy) at Unwired View discovered a very interest patent application filed yesterday by Apple Computer for a “Dynamic lyrics display for portable media devices.” Apple’s filing explains that “The text being displayed is associated with and synchronized to the media content being presented.” Hmm, doesn’t that sound a lot like what a karaoke player does? Essentially Apple is claiming the patent on karaoke functions on a PMP but there is at least one device out there that does exactly that, Asus’ Z801 flip phone.

Even if Apple doesn’t wind up getting the copyright the paper shows that they are at least thinking about giving us a iPod style karaoke machine, for those of us that like to sing to ourselves and without any amplification to our voicebox.

Could the first gen iPhone already be in danger of extinction? That’s the latest rumor to spread and it comes courtesy of a Chinese outlet called the Commercial Times. According to the publisher they’ve heard reports from Apple partner manufacturers Quanta and Wintek that the next gen iPhone is already in the prototype phase and that the finished model could be ready for sale by as early as September. It may even retail for less than June’s iPhone, clocking in somewhere between $250 and $300.

September is just a short two months away and for Apple to make a move like this so soon after the launch of the first iPhone doesn’t seem to add up. We have no doubts that Steve Jobs has secret plans in motion in Cupertino but the past history of Apple has demonstrated that they like to wait and pounce …

Now that the the dust is settling a little bit from the iPhone launch it looks like it’s time to ramp up the rumor mills again around the the Beatles and the potential of a special, limited edition version of the Apple iPod. Pictured here is a mocked up version of what a Beatles Yellow Submarine iPod just might look like from TechDigest. It sports simply a bright yellow-submarine color and comes pre-loaded with every Beatles album ever made.

This special edition iPod has been rumored for quite a while now and we really like the idea (and TechDigest’s rendition). The talk is that this yellow iPod would be launched at the same time that the Beatles songs go on sale through iTunes. It also potentially could be available for only a month while iTunes has the Beatles albums and it’s competition does …

A little over a week after the launch, Apple’s iPhone is still creating quite a buzz from both those who like it and those who don’t. One particular point of contention coming from a number of consumers and particularly the Foundation for Consumer and Taxpayer Rights are some concerns with the battery replacement program for the iPhone.

This system is nothing new to Apple as they’ve had an similar existing situation with the line of iPod’s which, like the iPhone, have an embedded battery. Due to this, owners themselves cannot order and swap out a new battery but must send the product in for a battery replacement from Apple. The foundation has recently sent a letter to Apple on two fronts, one of which being the battery replacement process for the iPhone.

According to details on Apple’s website the …

We had posted a few months ago about what we thought might be an iPhone Nano product from Apple, and here’s another one that could easily fit the name filed at the USPTO.

The patent digram shows a click wheel similar to existing iPods with a touchpad that shows the graphical images of a phone dial-like wheel with numbers and letters. It would make sense that just like the iPod has gotten smaller with time, Apple could cut out a few features and make a smaller, simpler but equally cool mobile phone. An iPhone nano type device might even capture a larger segment of consumers who like Apple products and the iPhone but don’t want to shell out $500 - $600 and don’t need all the bells and whistles.

via Unwired

According to a filing with the USPTO it looks like Apple is looking to extend their touch screen technology beyond the iPhone and use it in a new mouse design.

According to the filing this mouse has a touch sensitive surface that works through a camera inside the mouse viewing an illuminated surface. The changes in illumination due to fingers on the mouse would indicate the “touches”, and pressing harder would signal things like a right or left button press, since this mouse has no buttons.

The touch sensitive mouse would then be able to identify different movements of your hand and fingers on the mouse to indicate different actions of moving or rotating things on the computer. It also could potentially be used as a security and user identification tool by identifying unique fingers, and customizing the user experience and access …

According to a recent report from Rheinische Post, Apple has just signed a deal with Deutsche Telekom T-Mobile to make Germany the next stop for an iPhone launch on November 1 of this year. The report is a preview to an alleged announcement planned for tomorrow where T-Mobile will be unveiled as the exclusive provider of the iPhone for Germany, selling the famed gadget for about 450 euros ($612).

While no sources of the news were cited and no comments from the involved parties were made this isn’t really set in stone but we’ll be watching tomorrow for an official word.

Source: Reuters

Amidst all the excitement of the successful iPhone launch by Apple last week, the company was hit with a blow from Universal Music Group when they decided to not renew their 2-year contract to provide music for iTunes.

The reason for the decision was not clear, but labels have had issues in the past with Apple setting a single price for all songs or albums, and the single-song purchase ability has cut into sales where previously with purchasing a CD, consumers were required to buy the whole album. The decision by Apple to offer DRM-free songs could also potentially be an issue with UMG.

The songs on iTunes from UMG include tracks from popular artists such as Shania Twain, Bon Jovi, Elton John, Method Man, Tupac Shakur, Aaliyah, Jay-Z, Mariah Carey, Eminem, Dr. Dre, Diana Ross, Reba McEntire, Luciano Pavarotti, …

It’s well known that creating a sense of urgency is one of the best tools a salesman can use when trying to sell a product. Whether or not this is a sales tactic we’re aren’t sure, but Apple has an availability tool on their website that shows which Apple stores in different states have iPhones available for the following day. Granted, the tool’s not very reflective of the fast-paced digital times that we live in but if nothing else it’s doing a great job of creating a sense of urgency in Apple fans.

We had heard shortly before the iPhone launch that AT&T stores were not going to be stocked with the number of iPhones that the Apple stores would be, and that the Apple stores would in reality have many, many iPhones available …

Since today’s the day the public can actually get their hands on an iPhone, Apple thought they may want to get some accessories too and unveiled the accessories lineup on their website, showing off headsets, adapters, travel cables and of course docks.

For $129 you can get the black iPhone Bluetooth headset which delivers 5.5 hours of talk time and up to 72 hours of standby time. The headset comes with the iPhone dual dock which indeed will hold and charge both the iPhone and the headset. It also comes with a USB travel cable (pictured here) which can also charge both the iPhone and the iPhone Bluetooth headset at the same time. Both the dual dock and and travel charger can be purchased separately for $49 and $29, respectively.

The accessory page also has a blurb on it about a new “Works with iPhone” logo …

Steve Jobs held a town hall meeting with employees today on the eve of the iPhone launch, and as part of that meeting announced that each full-time employee of Apple will receive a free iPhone. That’s over 17,000 iPhones that will be given away for the full-timers, plus any part-time employees with a year or more under their belt will get one too. Jobs has done this before a couple years ago with the 1GB iPod Shuffle, but the price tag is a little spendier this time around.

The Apple employees won’t get a chance to try out the iPhone right away on tomorrows launch but they should expect to receive them by the end of July as it looks like Apple is concerned about adequate product availability out of the gate. According to a ThinkSecret report, …

Apple released a couple new announcements today regarding Friday’s iPhone release from Apple and AT&T regarding the pricing plans for the mobile device along with activation information once you get your iPhone.

The rate plans for the voice service are bundled with the data plan and come in three different configurations. All three plans include unlimited data, mobile to mobile and includes Visual Voicemail. Visual Voicemail allows users to “see” the voicemail messages listed that are available to listen to and choose which to hear. The three monthly rates available for the iPhone run $59, $79 and $99 with voice minutes of 450, 900 and 1350, respectively.

Also, remember how iTunes is required to setup your iPhone? According to the announcement today, your iTunes account will be needed to activate your iPhone once you get it. This will probably work …

In the odd and unlikely event that you are not fully aware, this Friday will mark the launch of very possibly the most hyped gadget ever made. Not to say that the hype isn’t justified, but if nothing else Steve Jobs and Apple have done a great job, intentionally and otherwise, keeping this product in the spotlight all the way up to the week of the launch.

Some of the latest happenings leading up to the week include more information available on the Apple website. They’ve added a fairly lengthy and somewhat interesting guided tour of the product, so if you aren’t up to waiting in line starting Tuesday you can at least feel and talk like you own the phone. In this case even the big wigs and celebrities aren’t even getting any special treatment when it …