Apple Magic Wand Eerily Similar to Wiimote

Last week it was discovered that Apple has filed yet another patent for a "new" idea; the Apple Magic Wand for Apple TV. Seriously, they are calling it a Wand.

Essentially the Apple Wand would work like a wireless remote control understanding distance relative to the user and Apple TV's sensor and include a type of motion detector for navigation, selection or zoom.

Sound familiar? Yeah, the diagrams look just like a Wiimote too. Diagrams after the break.





Apple has been a forerunner for innovative technology so you'll understand why I'm surprised that they are trying to "borrow" an idea from Nintendo. (Isn't it supposed to be the other way around? Am I in the Twilight Zone?) The Apple TV remote is nothing outstanding, simply a basic remote control with 5 essential buttons.

With the success of the

I'm sorry, I don't care who you are, interactive entertainment makes you look stupid. We put up with the Wii in the name of "fun" gaming. But can you imagine Grandpa having to do the Macarena just to get to his favorite John Wayne movie?

It seems Apple wants to take the worst features of the Wiimote and make it the sole navigation of their home entertainment device. Has anyone at Apple actually used the Wiimote to navigate? Not to mention type. Typing anything using the Wiimote is impossible.



I love my Wii, wouldn't trade it for the world; nor would I try to write an email. (Just thinking about that task gives me nightmares.)

They might be better off making the Touch or iPhone into a remote control that can sync with your Apple TV instead. Both devices already include the Bluetooth and accelerometer needed for this type of control, not to mention they could easily make an app with additional (traditional) controls like select and menu.

See Apple, win/ win.

I have every confidence that when Apple "borrows" Nintendo's concept they will make it better, but this Magic Wand idea feels like a gimmick to get people to actually pay attention to the Apple TV, the only device that they've released that doesn't seem to have the magic touch.

Know what is not gimmicky? Reading more tech news blogs:

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