Apple Patent Reveals "Movement-Aware" iPhones

Author Gordon Kelly
Published 20th Apr 2009
Apple Patent Reveals
Bookmark and Share discuss this article  4 comments    Email  Email trustedreviews newslettersTrustedReviews Newsletters

Often the simplest ideas are the best. Consequently it's no real surprise the world's most opinion dividing tech company has come up with one...

The 'Variable Device Graphical User Interface' is a patent applied for late last week by Apple and it simply detects the rapid movement of a user when, for example, running and increases the size of the menu UI to make up for their loss in dexterity.


Or as Apple phrases its patent: "Methods, systems, devices, and apparatus, including computer program products, for adjusting a graphical user interface. A motion of a device is detected. A graphical user interface of the device is adjusted in response to the detected motion."

Of course being able to easily increase the size of the UI could also be chosen as a permanent option. Such a selection would certainly help the handset appeal to older generations or those suffering from poor eyesight. The submitted image makes the concept even clearer while also offering us the titbit of labelling a front facing camera in the iPhone design (it's number 180 for those prepared to squint).

Yep, as long as the motion detection isn't overly sensitive this is quite simply an excellent idea - and one which has now just been patented. Damn.

Links:
Patent Application
via MacRumours

discuss this article  4 comments
Email this article to a friend Email
Bookmark and Share


 

Related Articles

Newsletters

Register to receive the latest Reviews and News Headlines directly to your Inbox every day, and enter our regular competitions. More Info.

Your Name


Email Address


Latest 4 of 4 Comments

Have your say: Leave a comment below about this article.

comment Brian Carter said on 20th April 2009

Good idea. It's probably not "motion" but "acceleration". "Motion" would mean that anyone in a car or on a train would always gets the modified... more

comment Peter said on 20th April 2009

Next step. Add a breathalyser to iPhone which will increase the size of the display, and block ability to call or text any ex.

comment GoldenGuy said on 20th April 2009

"Next step. Add a breathalyser to iPhone which will increase the size of the display, and block ability to call or text any ex."

And it'll lock you ou... more

comment Oliver Levett said on 20th April 2009

Hangon... The part of the patent you quote seems to imply that it's a patent for anything which responds to acceleration. Not specifically resizing UI elements.

See all 4 comments on this article.

add comment Add your comment

You must be logged in to comment. Login or register here.