Apple ‘user interface’ patent hints at changes to tvOS

Apple has been granted a patent (number 9,678,623) for a “user interface for media playback” that hints at a new look and UI for a future version of tvOS on the Apple TV. It could also involve playing music and videos on macOS and iOS devices.

It involves a graphical user interface made up of icons representing individual files and collectively forming the shape of a “v,” along with methods of using and creating the graphical user interface. Apple says the v-shaped interface is useful for displaying detailed information about many of the items in a list and facilitates manipulation of list order and selection of the active file in the list. 

The interface further permits the use of a representative icon associated with the list as a whole. Manipulation of the representative icon can cause modification or replacement of the entire playlist represented by the icon.

Of course, Apple files for — and is granted — lots of patents by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office. Many are for inventions that never see the light of day. However, you never can tell which ones will materialize in a real product.