Next: The talking iPod
When Apple introduced the iPod Shuffle player without a screen, some declared the device "the new radio." Now an Apple invention really could do away with on-air DJs once and for all. The Scotsman reports that Apple has patented text-to-speech conversion that lets iPods tell listeners the name of the band and track it's about to play. The computer-speech technology keeps listeners from having to glance down at the screen while exercising or driving -- and it could make screenless iPods like the Shuffle even more popular. MacDailyNews notes that Apple's Nike+iPod kit, which integrates iPods into a workout routine, already reads off pace and mileage information. Will this newfangled function give the iPod a boost in the face of increasing competition from challengers like Microsoft?
Posted by Owen Thomas 10:45 AM 0 Comments comment | Add a Comment

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Most stock quote data provided by BATS. Market indices are shown in real time, except for the DJIA, which is delayed by two minutes. All times are ET. Disclaimer. Morningstar: © 2018 Morningstar, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Factset: FactSet Research Systems Inc. 2018. All rights reserved. Chicago Mercantile Association: Certain market data is the property of Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc. and its licensors. All rights reserved. Dow Jones: The Dow Jones branded indices are proprietary to and are calculated, distributed and marketed by DJI Opco, a subsidiary of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC and have been licensed for use to S&P Opco, LLC and CNN. Standard & Poor's and S&P are registered trademarks of Standard & Poor's Financial Services LLC and Dow Jones is a registered trademark of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC. All content of the Dow Jones branded indices © S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC 2018 and/or its affiliates.