Apple Inc. has filed a patent for a new 3D gesture control type and a ‘physics metaphor’ control. It will not be comping to the iPhone 5 or the third generation iPad because it is still under development.
According to a report by tech website Patently Apple, “On July 7, 2011, the United States Patent and Trademark Office published a patent application from Apple that reveals various concepts behind newly advanced 3D gesturing that will apply to CAD applications for product and gaming developers as well as for consumers.”
The report said that one of the gestures uses the device’s proximity sensor and touch panel, which will enable users to input gestures in 3D.
Tech news site Engadget said: “[The concept] involves using a proximity sensor in addition to the touch panel to register gestures in 3D. For example, you could use three fingers to mark out the corners of a triangle on the screen and then ‘pull up’ and pinch to create a pyramid for use in a CAD application.”
The possibilities and benefits of this technology are massive. It can be used in general navigation purposes, 2D and 3D design, and of course, gaming.
Apple also proposed a second idea based on ‘physics metaphors,’ which will enable you to “pour” an app from an iPhone to your iPad without using wires or syncing.
There’s no word yet when this technology will be launched and we don’t expect to see it anytime soon.
via: T3
