Apple Files for Audio Navigation Patent

Apple has filed a patent for an audio interface that assists the user of a portable music device in navigation.

The patent describes an audio feedback system where the “device” not only voices the user’s input commands but also sounds out the name of the track that has been selected. The song names would be generated from the ID3 tags attached to each .MP3 or .AAC file and sounded out using a “text-to-speech conversion engine.

The most practical application of this audio navigation system would be the iPod Shuffle, as it lacks even a basic display to show song titles. The patent only describes the iPod talking to the user and not the other way around. Since the navigation system can be easily done using only a firmware update, the users of existing iPods may be able to use this technology.

In order to retain its dominant position in the market, Apple plans to enhance their iPod line. Having experimented with different colors and photo viewing, Apple recently added the video feature as well. While an audio navigation system may not seem like much, it’s one more little extra feature to convince potential customers not to go with cheaper alternatives.

Source: Ars Technica Online