World of Apple

Filed back in November of 2004 and granted just yesterday the patent refers to “an audio user interface that generates audio prompts that help a user interact with a user interface of a device is disclosed. One aspect of the present invention pertains to techniques for providing the audio user interface by efficiently leveraging the computing resources of a host computer system. The relatively powerful computing resources of the host computer can convert text strings into audio files that are then transferred to the computing device. The host system performs the process intensive text-to-speech conversion so that a computing device, such as a hand-held device, only needs to perform the less intensive task of playing the audio file. The computing device can be, for example, a media player such as an MP3 player, a mobile phone, or a personal digital assistant.”

Field of Invention

illustrates a diagrammatic view of a media player and its associated set of nested menus according to one embodiment of the present invention.

The present invention relates generally to voice generation and, more specifically, to voice generation for computing devices.

Background and Abstracts

In order to achieve portability, many hand-held devices use user interfaces that present various display screens to the user for interaction that is predominantly visual. Users can interact with the user interfaces to manipulate a scroll wheel and/or a set of buttons to navigate display screens to thereby access functions of the hand-held devices. However, these user interfaces can be difficult to use at times for various reasons. One reason is that the display screens tend to be small in size and form factor and therefore difficult to see. Another reason is that a user may have poor reading vision or otherwise be visually impaired. Even if the display screens can be perceived, a user will have difficulty navigating the user interface in “eyes-busy” situations when a user cannot shift visual focus away from an important activity and towards the user interface. Such activities include, for example, driving an automobile, exercising, and crossing a street.

illustrates a process for creating audio files at a host computer system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

The invention is preferably implemented by software, but can also be implemented in hardware or a combination of hardware and software. The invention can also be embodied as computer readable code on a computer readable medium. The computer readable medium is any data storage device that can store data, which can thereafter be read by a computer system. Examples of the computer readable medium include read-only memory, random-access memory, CD-ROMs, DVDs, magnetic tape, optical data storage devices, and carrier waves. The computer readable medium can also be distributed over network-coupled computer systems so that the computer readable code is stored and executed in a distributed fashion.

It looks like the rumours are coming to an end, a glitch on Apple’s website today has all but confirmed the presence of the MacBook.

Earlier in the week it was rumoured that Apple Stores were receiving stock that was labelled “do not open until Tuesday, May 9th.”

Glitch in Apple’s website today shows the presence of the MacBook

The long awaited MacBook has been rumoured since around November of last year, starting with the rumours that a future portable from Apple will include a 13″ widescreen display, as time went by the rumour gained momentum and many rumour sites have speculated release dates with nothing but conjecture.

[Update] ThinkSecret is reporting that sources close to them believe that the new MacBook will be thinner than the current iBook, have a lower price and will be available in both black and white colours.

Apple today responded to rumours that the development of Aperture was lacking commitment.

“The reports of Apple reducing their commitment to Aperture are totally false,” Kirk Paulsen, Apple’s Senior Director Pro Applications Marketing, “In fact, we’ve got more people working on Aperture right now than ever before.”

Paulsen goes on to talk about how today’s update to Aperture shows continued support from Apple for the application.

Apple has today posted two updates, one for Aperture 1.1 and the other for Logic Express 7.2.

The update to Aperture moves it up to version 1.1.1 and is around 14MB in size, Apple describes the update as follows:

This update addresses several issues related to performance, stability, color correction, and display compatibility and is recommended for all Aperture users.

Note: You must first update to Aperture 1.1 and Mac OS X 10.4.6 or later before installing Aperture 1.1.1.

What looks like a typo has appeared on Apple’s website in relation to the Logic update, World of Apple is unable to confirm whether this update is for Pro or Express or potentially both.

Apple Download Site shows conflicting information

Silicon.com is reporting that a hacker of Turkish descent gained access and modified Apple’s Korean online Store last week.

The hacker who identifies itself as “Dinam” defaced a portion of the site which runs a Mac OS X server with Apache Webserver software, Apple reportedly removed the defacement quickly after being notified.

No mirrors of the defacement are available online.

MacBook Pro owners around the world are preparing to simultaneously call Apple support as a form of protest.

Scheduled for May 20th 2006, the protest calls for all MacBook Pro owners to call into Apple’s support centre and report their problems.

Personally I can’t see it working, as I have a few questions….

What time do I call the line, and for which country is this aimed at?

How is this going to help, the support lines for the UK are in India and I’m pretty sure that they are contracted out so have very little connection to Apple, apart from the pdf on the screen in front of them that’s telling them what to say to you in perfect English.

The BBC Motion Gallery has released a Dashboard widget to allow users to search the online film archives.

The widget from the BBC

“Apple has built fantastic tools into Tiger, like Spotlight and Dashboard, to expedite production workflow and we intend to take full advantage of these innovations to bring our customers better products and services,” said Jan Ross, senior vice president, BBC Motion Gallery.

The online catalogue contains 300,000 hours of video from the BBC and others, this widget allows you to quickly search and it can also preview the videos.

Download the Widget.

Back in January Apple very briefly became more valuable than Dell and the feat was recognised by a message from Steve Jobs being sent round to all staff.

Now once again Apple is valued more than Dell with Apple being worth $ 60,777,591,440 compared to that of Dell at $ 59,850,064,460.

Track the ever changing valuations on the NASDAQ website.

Apples new TV ad began airing in America last night, a total of 6 ads have been produced consisting of two men standing in front of a white background.

The ads are on Apple’s website.

Apple Regent Street Store is hosting a special music event on May 4, the BRIT School Concert.

Apple states on their website:

“The world-famous BRIT School has spawned such luminaries as Katie Melua and Amy Winehouse. Prepare to be wowed as this year’s crop of final-year students don their glad rags and perform tracks from their final project: a professional-quality CD showing off their outstanding work as musicians, engineers and producers.”

The event will take place at 7PM.

And a reminder to those who may have forgotten Apple is hosting an exclusive listening party with the Red Hot Chilli Peppers tomorrow.

Apple states:

Join us on Tuesday May 2nd for an exclusive pre-release listening party of the new Red Hot Chili Peppers’ album, “Stadium Arcadium”. We’ll play all of the album’s 28 songs in their entirety. And just for dropping by, you’ll receive a complimentary iTunes music card (while supplies last) to download the album’s first single, “Dani California”.
(Event will take place) Tuesday May 2nd, 6.30 pm

If anyone is attending these events, World of Apple would be more than willing to host some pictures.