Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Apple : Apple patents flat keyless keyboard

Apple : Apple patents flat keyless keyboard

Apple patents flat keyless keyboard

Posted: 26 Jul 2011 06:20 AM PDT

Apple has patented a new flat keyless keyboard concept, which promises a future of computing in which we will never have to actually physically press a key ever again.

Apple's new idea for a virtual, flat keyboard is clearly a development of the current keyboard design on the iPod touch, iPhone and iPad. Yet what will speedy touch-typers think of the promise of a future without hard keys?

The latest patent filing from Cupertino shows the idea for a virtual, flat keyboard for Apple's Mac laptops and iMac desktop lines.

Piezoelectric wizardry

The patent details how the flat Apple keyboard will be constructed from metal, plastic and glass, using piezoelectrics, haptic feedback and acoustic pulse recognition.

The new Apple keyboard will also feature an LED-lit display (for typing in the dark) and capacitive sensors for your fingers to enjoy Apple's various multi-touch functionality.

Website Patently Apple was first with the info on Apple's new keyless keyboards, noting that the new flat surface keyboard might include a haptic or tactile feedback mechanism to let the user "feel" something on the tips of their fingers when they have hit a particular key, to take the place of old-style mechanical switches or buttons.

More than 3.7 billion ARM-based chips shipped in 2011

Posted: 26 Jul 2011 02:48 AM PDT

British tech giant ARM has announced a 27 per cent quarterly profit, with a whopping 3.7 billion ARM-based chips shipped in the first half of 2011.

ARM's designs are a common feature in thousands of devices globally, and the company's second quarterly report of 2011 showed revenue and profit up significantly on 2010's figures.

As well as revenue up by 27 per cent to $190 million, profit was also up by a quarter to £54 million - with 29 licenses sold in the last three months.

"In the first half of 2011, we have seen strong license revenues driven by an increase in design activity around ARM technology across a broad range of end applications," said CEO Warren East.

The Commitments

"Major semiconductor vendors and consumer electronics companies are making long-term commitments to using ARM technology in their future product developments, underpinning growth in ARM's long-term royalty revenues," he added.

"As the addressable market for ARM technology grows, we continue to invest in the development of innovative technology, whilst simultaneously increasing revenues, profits and cash."

The sheer amount of ARM-designed processors in tablets and mobile alone is huge - with 1.1 billion shipped in mobile phones and tablets between April and June.

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