Go To Latest Video ReviewsApple Submits Patents For 3D Operating System
| Author | Gordon Kelly |
| Published | 12th Dec 2008 |
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TrustedReviews NewslettersCould this be the best attempt yet to solve the endless problem of insufficient desktop real estate?
Yep, while multiple desktops, scrolling desktops and more have all been tried with varying degrees of success Apple's new patent could be the most creative attempt to date.
Dubbed the 'Multi-Dimensional Desktop' the Cupetino based monolith rather bluntly describes the submission as: "A graphical user interface has a back surface disposed from viewing surface to define a depth, and one or more side surfaces extend from the back surface to the viewing surface. An icon receptacle is disposed on one or more of the side surfaces, and one or more icons are disposed within the icon receptacle. The one or more icons correspond to one or more desktop items".
Yep, it sounds like drunken gobbledegook but in short the concept is to create extra space via adding virtual depth to your desktop (think Flip 3D in Vista but permanent) while walls around the edges are used to hang commonly used commands, shortcuts and apps such as the weather. The effect is promising and though rather futuristic has enough detail in the submission (most of which is more readable than that rather crude quoted summary) to suggest Apple could be serious.
Do we like it? Hmmmn, Linux users will tell you they've been able to do it for decades (because Linux users will tell you they've been able to do everything for decades) but it could just be where Mac OS is headed... well, at least until we're all chipped and computer screens appear in our eyes!
Link:
Patent Submission
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haim said on 12th December 2008
eyewonder said on 12th December 2008
You know, I get really frustrated when I read things like this.
I've had my eye on a guy called Jeff Han (and his company, perceptive pixel) for a few years now... more
Gordon said on 12th December 2008
@eyewonder - not on the video link you post. In fairness I've seen Jeff Han many times - it's genuinely innovative chap but I think he speaks in broad terms. This is a mo... more
haim said on 13th December 2008
Well not sure we should give it all to Han. Back in 98 I was keen to try out the iGesture pad from Fingerworks, but they didn't have NT drivers so I couldn't use it. It... more
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hmm yeah....i still worry about speed. If you can't see everything on your screen you have to get to it somehow, and in the end clicking one button for the mac's 'a... more