“On the same day that Apple bought the augmented reality company Metaio, it also published a patent for a new type of flexible display featuring tiny holes that let you see through (or hear through) it,” Mark Sullivan reports for VentureBeat.
“Displays have always been more like doors than windows, so to speak, but it may not have to be that way for much longer. Apple is experimenting with a display whose solid light-emitting pixels are surrounded by a pattern of tiny holes,” Sullivan reports. “This suggests that the display material may be thin and flexible.”
“Why? The augmented reality application here is the user holding up the device and being able to see both the images it projects and the real world objects behind the screen,” Sullivan reports. “So the pixels may be able to show images that seem to overlay and provide information about the items on the other side”
Read more, and see Apple’s patent application illustrations, in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: Leave it to Apple to take augmented reality mainstream.
SEE ALSO:
Apple acquires augmented reality company Metaio – May 28, 2015
Apple preps Google Now rival with Siri API, augmented reality Maps, deep iOS 9 search – May 27, 2015
Apple granted patent for display-based speakers for iOS devices – January 13, 2015
Apple files patent for flexible display that deforms to provide tactile feedback, builds on Apple Watch feature – December 11, 2014
Apple granted a patent for devices with a transparent display – November 18, 2014
Apple patents new flexible display capabilities – August 26, 2014
Apple patents solar panels integrated into flexible multitouch displays – May 20, 2014
Apple patent application reveals personal display headset invention – May 8, 2014
Apple patent application reveals sapphire flexible transparent display devices created with Liquidmetal – December 19, 2013
For the largest mobile screen we use every day: The windshield.
Talk about distracted driving.
Unless the car was self driving…
Just think what this will mean for the iWear or Wear fashion industry. Holy clothes!
Apple’s recent purchases are two things.
1. CYA
2. Prevent others access to similar tech.
I think Apple Car and an AR windshield is exactly where this could go. Forget the goggles. Though that would be a test bed, we are going for AR Glass as you might want to call it. Then the application could be more than just your car.
How about health diagnostic mirrors. Ovens which tell you the status of your cooking food. Transparent fridge doors. Any number of applications where information may be helpful, but you need to see everything in context…
The next 10 years will blow our minds and we are headed towards personal computer technology, as seen in Minority report without the pre-crime conviction, of course.
Goggles, glasses, contacts, etc. will help facilitate extra sensory perception. Cameras and sensors coupled with facial/body expression software will be able to determine the state of mind of others. A user will realize if someone is lying, has been angered, or is sexually interested, etc. As a consequence many will attend meditation classes to realize inner peace. Others will seek plastic/cosmetic surgery.
There is no distraction at all. It is the same concept used in existing HUD of fighter jets and eyepiece in Apache attack helicopters.
Love these vr and ar. Initatives.. The next big thing imho ! Soon i hope 🙂
Initiatives
I wonder if this will be available as an aftermarket upgrade so we can retrofit it onto current and older vehicles, or will we have to purchase new vehicles to have this?