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During the past year, there have been several rumors which state that Apple is considering incorporating 3D technology into the display of the iPad 3. There was a rumor from a manufacturing insider, a prototype built by CPT, and an unearthed Apple patent that described a multi-layered screen that could be used to create 3D effects.
This week, there are some new rumors floating around on the internet about that mythical 3D display that Apple may or may not be working on,
from another insider source and from a new 3D display and imaging system patent that was granted to Apple.
Apple was recently awarded thirteen different patents, and one was particularly surprising. Apple’s imaging patent involves a 3D system that could create an invisible space in front of the user to allow them to work with holographic images or project their hands on a screen in front of them for manipulating virtual objects.
This kind of technology, if implemented, could have an amazing impact on gaming and in medical applications. The possibilities are endless – virtual keyboard, anyone? Of course, Apple owns a lot of patents, and many of the ideas in the patents never come to fruition. This one, however, is progressing well in Apple’s research labs, according to Patently Apple.
Business Insider has some information that also indicates that Apple’s been toying around with a 3D display. According to a source who “has friends at Apple and who has been reliable about Apple products in the past” Apple has, in its possession, an iPad 3 with a 3D screen. “The iPad 3 was often called the iPad 3D in early prototypes,” said the source. The screen, which did not require users to wear glasses to see the 3D effects was abandoned by Apple. “They didn’t want it to be a gimmick,” he guessed.
The source says that the 3D screen may make a reappearance at some point, but only when the technology becomes more useful than novel. Will we potentially see this kind of display in the iPad 3? It seems highly unlikely, because there are so many other rumors out there about the new retina display. This could be technology we will see in the future, but as it stands, 3D screens have a long way to go before they’re anything more than a novelty.
That holograph patent though… Wow! That’s an idea that sounds amazing. I’d love to see something like that incorporated into a future device. Do you think we’ll see 3D or holographic imagery from Apple anytime soon? Let us know in the comments.
[via Patently Apple and Business Insider]