From Walkman to Talkman

The next iteration of the iPod may talk users through the menus instead of relying on text only. Good news for blind and low-visioned ... but such populations apparently did not factor significantly into Apple's patent application - from the linked article:

The patent reveals the idea is driven largely by safety considerations. It states: 'A user will have difficulty navigating the interface in "eyes-busy" situations. Such activities include, for example, driving an automobile, exercising and crossing the street. The patent also makes clear that text-to-speech technology is likely to spread to other hand-held electronic devices such as mobile phones and palm-top computers.

Thank goodness for cars that talk, multi-tasking cell phone users, and band names with obscure pronunciations being the accidental impetus for advances in technology for the disabled - otherwise nothing would ever get accomplished!