More Speculation About 3D User Interface Coming to iOS Devices

[Michael Essany]

It's certainly a prospect we've heard of and discussed before. But only now have we seen conclusive evidence from Apple that this rumored possibility may ultimately become reality.

On Thursday, the US Patent & Trademark Office published a patent application from Apple that illustrates in immense detail how Apple may deploy motion sensors to create a pretty sweet virtual three-dimensional interface for iDevices.

Here's how Apple describes the technology:

A three-dimensional ("3D") display environment for mobile device is disclosed that uses orientation data from one or more onboard sensors to automatically determine and display a perspective projection of the 3D display environment based on the orientation data without the user physically interacting with (e.g., touching) the display.

As we've been told many times before, Apple has been tinkering with highly sophisticated 3D GUIs for years. And, as a result, it remains unlikely that the Apple community will get too excited about these and other experimental technologies until Apple finally deploys them.

To read more about the potential applications of the outlined technology, click here.

Source: US Patent and Trademark Office

[buttamix]

That would be pretty cool to see 3d capabilities on the iPhone. Just not sure it would look that great on the 3.5 inch screen.

[KGInstalls]

Yea deff needs to upgrade the screen size! It will be comming with the remake for the iphone 5!

[PoEtikly]

Yeah I'd think Apple would certainly enhance and upgrade the screen size and GUI. I sure as hell hope to see a larger screen and I'd think an entirely new iOS would be deployed with the iPhone 5, 6, etc (please don't make this a debate on what it'll be called), but who knows with Apple. They really need to do away with the stock folder and multitasking BG's. It's hideous. They could do a much better job visually that's for sure. I'd love to see this 3D interface.They should get FIF7Y to design EVERYTHING visual. He's one hell of a theme designer.

[iLoveWindows&iPhone]

Guys I really doubt....no....really really REALLY doubt this tech is going to be integrated in the next generation of iDevices, or the next.

[Mc-Lovin_341]

Guys I really doubt....no....really really REALLY doubt this tech is going to be integrated in the next generation of iDevices, or the next.

I wouldn't be too shore. One company has made a tv with 3D technology which doesn't even need glasses! What's to say Apple won't do the same but for the iphones or iPads. Some phones (Htc or maybe LG) have brought an Android device which uses 3D, Apple will do it to not miss out of that side of the market.

[jOnGarrett]

That would be pretty cool to see 3d capabilities on the iPhone. Just not sure it would look that great on the 3.5 inch screen.

If you had an Android you could have a 3D GUI right now. will be interesting to see who tries to claim ownership of this and start another patent war.

[Dazz187s]

Please, anything to get me out of the real world

[tylorddude123]

If you had an Android you could have a 3D GUI right now. will be interesting to see who tries to claim ownership of this and start another patent war.

Only with an HTC Evo3D... So technically HTC could win a patent war but if Apple were to make differences it would be fine. LG, Samsung, Sharp all make 3D TVs but since they are different technology then there are no patent problems. Plus the HTC's 3D quality is actually pretty bad