Ever since Steve Jobs’ death, tech analysts have wondered how Apple would stay relevant as a leading tech company. Google’s Project Glass only heightened fears that Apple would settle into irrelevance, especially given its history of refusal to copy anything Google. However, you can now lay those fears to rest – Apple is coming through.
According to the The Next Web, Apple has just recently filed for an augmented reality patent. The patent calls for a “peripheral treatment for head-mounted displays”, which is somewhat cryptic sounding, as one might expect from the company known for its secrecy. However, a closer inspection of the details reveals some exciting (and some disappointing) promises.
According to the patent dated July 3, 2012 (found here), the invention features the following:
“Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, implementing and using techniques for projecting a source image in a head-mounted display apparatus for a user. A first display projects an image viewable by a first eye of the user. A first peripheral light element is positioned to emit light of one or more colors in close proximity to the periphery of the first display. A receives data representing a source image, processes the data representing the source image to generate a first image for the first display and to generate a first set of peripheral conditioning signals for the first peripheral light element, directs the first image to the first display, and directs the first set of peripheral conditioning signals to the first peripheral light element. As a result, an enhanced viewing experience is created for the user. “
The device uses a head-mounted display, which The Next Web interprets by saying “This means that the system is designed for a ‘full immersion’ device, not a ‘walk around’ device like Project Glass, although it shares many of the same properties of a ‘near-to-eye’ system like Glass. These head mounted displays (HMDs) have long been thought to be a natural progression of personalized computer displays.”
This is somewhat disappointing news, though. It is yet to be seen how well Google’s Project Glass takes off, but if it is as popular as the hype it has been getting, people will be leaving iOS for Android in waves. Apple needs to have a competitive product to maintain their market share. Fortunately, there is still some hope that Apple has something like this in mind.
However, this patent does reveal that Apple is already thinking ahead to the next big thing. Likely this patent will transform the computing experience, completely changing the way we use desktops and laptops. For now, we will have to wait to see what products take advantage of this technology. But if there’s one thing Apple is known for, it’s making a splash with headlines.
[Images via LA Times & TheNextWeb]
Joseph Waterman says
I have to nitpick at a few points in this post…
“Google’s Project Glass only heightened fears that Apple would settle into irrelevance, especially given its history of refusal to copy anything Google.”
Please provide evidence of qualified individuals who are fearful about Apple’s soon irrelevance as a direct result of the Glass project.
“…but if it is as popular as the hype it has been getting, people will be leaving iOS for Android in waves.”
People will not be dropping their iPhones in “waves” over a pair of glasses made by a company whose primary business is selling online ads. Not happening.
“Apple needs to have a competitive product to maintain their market share.”
First, Apple doesn’t “need” anything. The entire company could literally go on vacation with full wages and benefits for like 7 years before cash would start getting low. Second, it is an irresponsible assumption to say that Apple “needs” to match an unreleased product in order to maintain market share. I don’t doubt that Apple has a small number of people working on some sort revolutionary, glasses-like project, but I can guarantee you it wasn’t spawned over their fear of the Google Glass project.
Chris Ruddell says
Thanks for weighing in Joseph. Certainly Apple’s presence in the marketplace seems hard to overstate. Yet Android continues to increase its share of the smartphone business, and pundits have long feared Apple would become irrelevant after Steve Jobs passed. Just look at how the stock tanked when he first announced he was sick. The iPhone brought life back to a struggling company, but the excitement at product releases has yet to match the iPhone’s original announcement. Everything since has just been a revision of iOS 1.0. Google may be a “search” company, but that turns into mega-advertising dollars. And they use that money to create cool new products like Project Glass.
In case you think I’m alone in my views, check out
http://m.techcrunch.com/2012/04/04/apple-facebook-project-glass/
MGalloway says
Interesting. I wonder if there will be any 3-D applications of this technology…
Chris Ruddell says
Quite possibly – if Apple is behind it, we can be sure it will be a show-stopper!
Marcus Williamson says
Solid post Chris. Can’t wait for what Apple has up its sleeves. They always deliver what we need when we don’t know what we need.