March 20, 2008
Apple patents 3D projection technology, hires Tom Cruise as top advisor
Posted Mar. 20, ’08, 4:30 PM PT by David Dahlquist
Category | Apple » Speculation
If you’re getting tired of those flat, outdated, two-dimensional computer displays, you may be in luck. Apple, enticingly, has patented technology for simulated 3D projection, as uncovered by AppleInsider from a filing with the US Patent and Trademark Office back in September 2006.
This new breed of display hardware would employ autostereoscopy (ooooh) to produce three-dimensional images that can be viewed by multiple users without the need for stupid 3D glasses or headgear.
“Modern three-dimensional (3D) display technologies are increasingly popular and practical not only in computer graphics, but in other diverse environments and technologies as well,” Apple said in the 25-page filing. “Growing examples include medical diagnostics, flight simulation, air traffic control, battlefield simulation, weather diagnostics, entertainment, advertising, education, animation, virtual reality, robotics, biomechanical studies, scientific visualization, and so forth.”
Although there’s no telling if or when this technology will actually surface, I can’t help but imagine it leading to some serious Minority Report interface action, and that pretty much makes me drool.
2 Comments
Leave a comment
Recent Entries
About MacUser
MacUser is your source for news, info, and opinion about Apple, the Mac, and the iPod. Our dedicated team of bloggers covers everything that is relevant to Mac users — and, okay, some stuff that’s not quite relevant, but is still a lot of fun.
Subscribe/RSS
- Blog Posts
- Blog Comments
- Podcast (RSS) (iTunes)
Tip us off!
- Email: macuser [at] macuser [dot] com
Recent Comments 
- hardonyou on Some major bands shun iTunes
- The Gabe on Some major bands shun iTunes
- DJ Ren on Some major bands shun iTunes
- t on Rumors of Steve's demise are greatly exaggerated
- Jack on Psystar says Apple has trust issues
- William on Television ads misleading? Say it ain't so!
Categories
- Apple (211)
- Advertising (148)
- Events (219)
- Huh? (170)
- Humor (251)
- News (143)
- People (240)
- Rivals (379)
- Speculation (154)
- Steve Jobs (157)
- Stores (196)
- Apple TV (56)
- Business (424)
- Games (137)
- Geekery (449)
- Hardware (885)
- Accessories (69)
- Intel Macs (161)
- Ihnatko (18)
- Internet (438)
- Legal (216)
- MacUser (91)
- Money (162)
- Music (328)
- Podcasting (98)
- Photography (70)
- Security (235)
- Software (1470)
- Updates (502)
- Tips (347)
- Troubleshooting (182)
- Video (379)
- Windows (205)
- iPhone (192)
- iPod (574)
- iPod Accessories (92)
- iPod Software (58)
- iTunes (110)
- iTunes Store (415)
Archives
- August 2008 (166)
- July 2008 (175)
- June 2008 (171)
- May 2008 (185)
- April 2008 (234)
- March 2008 (217)
- February 2008 (215)
- January 2008 (239)
- December 2007 (169)
- November 2007 (164)
- October 2007 (187)
- September 2007 (167)
- August 2007 (195)
- July 2007 (152)
- June 2007 (223)
- May 2007 (243)
- April 2007 (286)
- March 2007 (288)
- February 2007 (250)
- January 2007 (266)
- December 2006 (244)
- November 2006 (293)
- October 2006 (307)
- September 2006 (250)
- August 2006 (268)
- July 2006 (288)
- June 2006 (293)
- May 2006 (297)
- April 2006 (351)
- March 2006 (366)
- February 2006 (110)
- January 2006 (107)
- December 2005 (23)
Mac Publishing Sites
Links
"Autostereoscopy" sounds like an outpatient procedure I'd avoid if I had the chance.
Someday there will be an Extra-Special Edition where the Princess Leia hologram is projected right onto the floor in front of you. And you will buy it, because GL wouldn't be able to sell Star Wars to you umpteen times if it sucked.
So I guess Tom Cruise was just a bit of an exaggeration?