3D

Apple working on glasses-free 2D/3D display with adaptive eye-tracking

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office published a new Apple patent application on Thursday entitled "Spatially interactive computing device." The filing describes an advanced display system that can output both 2D and 3D images at the same time, without the need for specialized glasses.

More specifically, the display uses multiple layers to provide differing output to a viewer’s left and right eyes, as well as adaptive eye-tracking courtesy of a built-in image sensor. These technologies allow the display to produce 3D images to one user, or multiple images to different users, simultaneously.

Apple granted PrimeSense patent related to 3D virtual keyboards

Cody Lee ∙ Updated May 17, 2018

The United States Patent and Trademark Office published 41 patents today that it recently awarded to Apple. We've already covered one pertaining to VR headsets, and Patently Apple points us to another worth mentioning related to 3D virtual keyboards.

The patent is titled "Virtual keyboard for a non-tactile three dimensional user interface," and it covers a 3D capturing device that uses cameras to detect hand movements, allowing users to type on a virtual keyboard by simply moving their hands or fingers.

Next-gen iPhone rumored to feature glasses-free 3D display

Cody Lee ∙ November 5, 2014

The next iPhone released may feature a glasses-free 3D display, according to a report from Economic Daily News. The Taiwanese publication says that Apple supply chain partner TPK is currently raising funds for an upcoming Apple project, and its sources indicate it has something to do with a "naked eye 3D screen."

As we've stated before, Economic Daily News has a spotty track record in providing Apple intel, posting dozens of both accurate and inaccurate stories. It's possible, though, that Apple is planning to make 3D displays one of the headlining features of its next iPhone, much like Touch ID and Siri were for 5s and 4s models.

You can now take a Flyover tour of Yosemite National Park in Apple Maps

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 19, 2014

Conveniently, Apple's added a 3D Flyover view of the Yosemite National Park in California and Wellington in New Zealand to its Maps service, available across Mac and iOS devices. The latest addition allows you to check out Yosemite's landmarks, or the buildings and other structures in the city of Wellington.

3D Flyover views for the Auckland and Christchurch areas in New Zealand have been added to Apple Maps earlier in the year. The Cupertino company has updated the Flyover availability webpage by adding Wellington and Yosemite to the list...

WSJ: Google developing tablet with advanced 3D imaging capabilities

Cody Lee ∙ Updated October 13, 2018

The Wall Street Journal is reporting this morning that Google is building a new tablet with advanced 3D imaging capabilities. The device is being developed as part of the company's 'Project Tango,' which produced a smartphone back in February.

Citing sources familiar with the project, the news outlet says that the tablet has a 7-inch display and is equipped with two rear cameras, infrared depth sensors, and advanced software that can capture precise three-dimensional images of objects...

Google using Apple’s PrimeSense in ‘Project Tango’ smartphone, beating Apple to the punch

Jake Smith ∙ Updated April 16, 2018

Google has beat Apple to the punch by using PrimeSense's Capri PS1200 3D imaging system-on-a-chip in the Project Tango smartphone, before Apple could in its iPhone line-up, the teardown specialists over at iFixit found.

PrimeSense is the 3D technology sensing company Apple acquired for $350 million late-November 2013, and its chips weren't expected to be found in Google's Project Tango smartphone given the fierce competition between the two companies. Only Movidius Myriad 1 3D-sensing chips were expected, but Apple's PrimeSense showed up as well...

Norwegian government blocking Apple from capturing 3D map data for Oslo

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

It appears that the Norwegian government is blocking Apple from capturing 3D Flyover footage of Oslo, its capital. The news comes from a report out of Norway-based newspaper Aftenposten.

A Norway government official has confirmed this to be the case, saying the country's National Security Authority is intentionally blocking Apple from grabbing the aerial data it needs for its Maps app because it doesn't want the company accidentally mapping out confidential buildings within Oslo...

Poppy turns your iPhone into Viewmaster style 3D camera

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 26, 2013

An interesting project is brewing up over at Kickstarter. An iPhone accessory called the Poppy wants to turn any iPhone into a kid's 3D camera capable of capturing, viewing and sharing 3D stereoscopic stills and videos. It has two eyepieces to look through, a slot where you insert your device and mirrors which capture two stereographic images using your iPhone's single camera.

Perhaps most surprising fact is that Poppy needs no electronics to turn 2D images into 3D because its mirrors do all the heavy lifting, resulting in a light accessory that needs no batteries to operate...

Amazon said to be developing glasses-free 3D smartphone

Cody Lee ∙ May 9, 2013

Now that Facebook has finally fulfilled the prophecies, and entered the smartphone market, all eyes are on Amazon. The online retail giant has also long been rumored to be looking to get into the space with its own handset.

And today comes a new report that adds weight to the story. Citing sources familiar with the company's plans, The WSJ says Amazon is working on a number of new hardware products, including a glasses-free 3D smartphone...

Palm Top Theater gives your iPhone that 3D display you’ve always wanted (or not)

Oliver Haslam ∙ March 10, 2013

3D was certainly the buzzword of yesteryear, with Android phone makers scrambling to make their handsets take advantage of all manner of 3D technologies with the aim of standing out from the crowd. Apple didn't make the jump to 3D with either the iPhone 4S or iPhone 5, but that doesn't mean some people don't still want it or indeed that it might happen in the future.

With SXSW going on in Austin, there are always some funky little gadgets on show, and the Palm Top Theater certainly falls into that category.

If you've ever wanted things to jump out of your iPhone's screen, then you'll want to read on...

Future versions of iOS could have simulated 3D UI

Cody Lee ∙ June 27, 2012

One of the main complaints I get about iOS is that it's getting boring (these people are obviously not jailbreaking). And to be fair, the platform hasn't really changed much since it was introduced back in 2007.

But maybe Apple's finally looking to switch things up. We've already seen some cool new tweaks in iOS 6, like the auto-tilting sliders. And now the word is, we could be in for some even bigger UI changes...

Purported screenies show off enhanced iOS 6 Maps with breathtaking 3D view

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 29, 2012

Remember talk of Apple's enhanced Maps app thought to feature cutting-edge 3D view?

Apparently a few years in the making, looks like Cupertino is now ready to supplant a Google Maps backend with its own in-house mapping solution come June 11.

And now, screenshots from a "trusted source" have surfaced, depicting this exciting three-dimensional mapping view in action. The admittedly gorgeous photos look authentic and conceivably show off the power of a declassified missile targeting technology Apple got hold of with their 2011 acquisition of advanced 3D mapping startup C3 Technologies...