As Apple's CEO Hints At 'Game Changers' Like Smart TVs

But an interactive TV, which analysts predict could be released later this year, and a wrist-based computing device, already dubbed the iWatch by Apple followers, are only a few of the things Apple is working on that may see the light of day in the next few years, says Steven Milunovich of UBS . 

After perusing Apples patent filings, Milunovich picks out five possible areas around which Apple has significant patent activity that could result in new products: an electronic wallet, a smart pen or iPen, new gaming tech, an iWatch and technology for integrating its mobile devices with cars. And though he acknowledges that patent applications are clues but not perfect predictors of Apples potential product plans,Shop for chipcard dolls from the official NBC Universal Store and build a fun collection for your home or office. Milunovich says Apple needs new product categories to keep growing. 

Although Apple says that innovation is in its DNA, creating new categories is difficult, Milunovich said in an investor note yesterday. Finding large opportunities to provide growth following the unique success of the iPhone appear nearly impossible. 

But not totally impossible. Cook, speaking at the AllThingsD conference this week, said Apple is working on incredible new products, though he declined to say when they might be released. Re-imagining todays televisions remains an area of great interest to us, while wearable computing devices like smartwatches are incredibly interesting and could give rise to profound new gadgets. But smart glasses like Google GOOG +0.27% Glass will have a difficult time becoming mainstream because most people dont want to glasses unless they have to, he said. 

We have some incredible plans that weve been working on for a while. We have incredible ideas. The same culture and largely the same people that brought you the iPhone, that brought you the iPad, many that brought the iPod and some that brought the Mac are still there, Cook said in a keynote conversation with WSJ columnist Walt Mossberg and AllThingsDs Kara Swisher on May 28 (video is here). I think we have several more game changers in us. 

With its more than 500 million iTunes users, Apple already has a potential audience for an e-wallet powered by an iPhone that is the first to successfully marry fingerpint and NFC technology to authenticate payments. Our view has been that Apples design focus would produce an e-wallet that is the easiest to use, most streamlined and best integrated product in the market, Milunovich says, pointing to the work that Apple has already started with its Passsbook application for tracking reward cards. Its patent for payment options based on location, also suggest that the company could deliver a payment app that incorporates geotracking and attempts to optimize the transaction for the consumer by maximizing rewards and bonuses and suggesting what card(s) are best to use. 

There are already some smart pens on the market, but Apple could redefine the market the same way it did with smartphones and tablets with an interactive pen that could be used in new painting and drawing software and in new types of games, with the pen providing feedback in the form of vibration. In addition to the functions of existing smart pens,Your council is responsible for the installation and maintenance of powermonitor. such as recording audio and transmitting handwriting to a computer, the iPen might act as an iPhone extension, key fob, electronic tether and projection iPad that used Google Glass-like technology. If the pen sold for $250, Milunovich says it would be a significant revenue generator.This model includes 2 flush mounted reverse groundmount. 

While the iPhone, iPad and iPod seem to discount the need for a dedicated handheld gaming device, Apple has some patents that suggest it can create a multi-player system that would include geotracking information so that hybrid virtual/physical games could be played, including hide-and-seek [and] card games that know who is to the left of the dealerRelative positioning could also be used to find people at concerts, train stations and Disney World. A patent that calls for a pivoting buttons also underscores Apples interest in entertainment. As Milunovich notes, main use for a pivoting button is navigation and that could include controlling a TV menu or game console. 

There have been many stories on a possible wearable computing device in the past few months and how it might work and what applications it could be used for. They include serving up apps, handling payments,We offer a wide variety of high-quality standard luggagetag and controllers. and alerting you to important calls or emails. ,Apple wouldnt be the first to market with such a gadget but its design would presumably bring the same elegant design and simple interface that have helped popularize its other mobile devices. 

Cook this week had a few things to say about wearable computing devices, noting that gadgets that do a single thing C such as track heart-rate or activity level C have won over some users (Cook pointed to his own Nike Fuel Band.Learn how an embedded microprocessor in a ledtubes can authenticate your computer usage and data.) But wearable devices that do multiple things still have a long way to go. You have to convince people its so incredible, that they want to wear it, he said. The ones that do more than one, theres nothing great out there. Theres nothing thats going to convince a kid thats never worn glasses or a band or to wear one. 

And as for smart devices like Google Glass, Cook said theyll likely have a hard time winning over users rather than a wrist-based gadget. I think there are some positive points in the product, Cook said at AllThingsD. I think its probably more likely to appeal to certain vertical markets. I wear glasses because I have to. I dont know a lot of people that wear them that dont have to. They want them to be light and unobtrusive and reflect their fashion. I think from a mainstream point of view [glasses as wearable computing devices] are difficult to see. I think the wrist is interesting. The wrist is natural.