Scotmon speculates that the next version of Apple iPod will have text-to-speech technology inbuilt that allows to read the text of music tracks removing the need for users to look at the screen while selecting music, and making the device safer and easier to use while driving, cycling or in badly-lit locations.
Apple has flatly refused to comment on the design, but a patent lodged by the company in the United States makes clear the sixth generation of iPods will be able to convert those famous text menus into speech.
The ingenious system will rely on home PC processing power and clever software. The computer being used to download tracks will analyse each album title, song name and artist and convert them into sound files. These will be loaded into the iPod, along with the song files.
The patent reveals the idea is driven largely by safety considerations. When you use your iPod in an "eyes-busy" activities like driving an automobile, exercising and crossing the street text-to-speech technology makes more conviniant as there is no need to see the display as iPod will tell you what it is about to play.
The move by Apple expected to spark a new digital player war as competing manufacturers like Microsoft attempts to cram more and more features into their digital music players in a bid to keep up.
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