A recently uncovered patent, filed by Apple in February, reveals that they may be working on a wearable display that can simulate the experience of being in a virtual environment with the help of intelligent sensors. Apparently, these sensors will be able to detect movements of the head and even the eye, adapting the video accordingly to make the wearer feel like he’s actually in a real environment.
Of course, it is entirely possible (and highly probable) that, like most Apple patents, this idea will never actually see the light of day. The invention of this idea has been credited in part to Tony Fadell, the father of the iPod and, up until recently, Apple’s senior vice president of the iPod division.
Although not quite as sophisticated as the patent suggests, wearable displays have existed for quite a while now (the Myvu and iWear series are good examples) but all of them offer too little for too much. The display resolution is low, the designs awkward, and the prices sky high.
I really love the concept though and if Apple were to make such a device, I would be first in line to lay my hands on one of these things. What do you think?
[Via Electronista]
Besides virtual reality applications, a wearable display of good quality, better yet with a Hi-Fi surround sound system, would be an invaluable tool for watching DVD in bed!