More on the next-generation iPod

Hints on the future releases of the iPod as well as the iPhone have recently been revealed by patent filings and Apple executives.

A patent filing entilted "Proximity detector in handheld device" seems to be the description of what could be the next major hardware user interface change on the next generation of iPods. The patent filing consists of a device that can detect the presence of your finger in a specific space resulting in a non-touch interaction.

Additionally, Engadget claims that Apple is working on adding eBook reading functionnality to the next iPod, bringing further confirmation to recent rumours that the next iPod could include a larger display.

In the iPhone side, during Apple's last quarterly financial release, Peter Openheimer has given hint that Apple was preparing itself to enter in the mp3 enabled cell-phones market. Questionned on the success of Sony Ericson's Walkman phones line-up, Apple's Financial director said : "We believe that the current mobile phones don't make the best mp3 players but in the future that may well change. We are certainly not sitting around doing nothing."

Meanwhile, details of Microsoft's "iPod Killer" which will be marketed as "Zune" are also being revealed. The device is said to sport an input interface that is similar to Apple's click-wheel, wifi connectivity and will work with an iTunes-like software and music store. However, analysts are wondering how much the wifi functionnality will hurt the battery life of the device.
To finnish, a word on iTunes: Apple's online Music/Video store now includes TV shows from Warner Bros.

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