Apple patent lets iPhone be part of VR reality
A smartphone would essentially become a screen set directly before the wearer’s eyes
Apple on Tuesday was awarded a patent on a headset that could let iPhones be part of augmented or virtual reality displays.
The patent titled “Head Mounted Display Apparatus For Retaining A Portable Electronic Device With Display” depicts a large eyeglass-style frame into which a smartphone could be seated.
A smartphone would essentially become a screen set directly before the wearer’s eyes, with the option of picture-in-picture if a person wants to watch what is happening around him or her.
Coupling the headset device with an iPhone “temporarily integrates the separate devices into a single unit,” according to the patent, which Apple filed for in late 2008.
Capabilities of each device would be extended to the other, the patent specified, leaving open the potential to incorporate Siri virtual assistant voice commands.
The gadget described in the patent is similar to Gear VR head gear released last year by Samsung and paired with the South Korean consumer electronics titan’s large-screen Galaxy Note 4 smartphones.
At its developers conference in San Francisco last year, Google gave away simple kits to make cardboard virtual reality headsets that act as frames for Android powered smartphones.
-
Apple co-founder Wozniak skeptical on smartwatches, google glass
Steve Wozniak also praised current Apple chief executive Tim Cook for breaking free from Jobs's “dogma” Technology -
Apple accused of false promises on storage capacity
The suit charges Apple with being deceptive in advertising that represents devices as having much more storage space than is really available Technology -
Are you a ‘Halal foodie?’ Singapore firm launches app for that
The free "HalalTrip" app, available for Apple iOS and Android devices, enables users to take and upload photos of halal dishes Digital -
‘Apple Man’ busted smuggling 94 iPhones like body armor
Online images of the man show him covered in dozens of handsets, held together under his outer clothes with clingfilm and masking tape Variety -
Long-awaited Apple Watch to be released in April
The Apple Watch is considered the first major new product since the debut of iPad Technology