iPhone 5: 3D interface possibilities

When talking about what kind of hardware specs the iPhone 5 will end up possessing, it’s clear that a quad-core Apple A6 processor, a 4-inch display screen and improved battery support are some of the more likely features which could end up a reality.

However, in terms of software there has been very little talk at the moment, as many consumers are just expecting to see the sixth-generation iPhone ship with the latest version of iOS, which will probably still be at iOS 5.xx.

A interesting report this week has claimed that Apple are exploring the possibility of including a 3D interface for their next iPhone, an interface which would place less emphasis on the touchscreen and more emphasis on a 3D environment with motion controls. We recently told you that Apple had filed a patent in relation to a possible ‘Face Unlock’ feature appearing on the next phone, and now this latest patent, titled “Sensor Based Display Environment” suggests that Apple are now beginning to treat 3D technology much more seriously, and the next iPhone could be device to benefit, as noted by Apple Insider.

With the combination of onboard sensors, a virtual viewfinder, the gyroscope and compass, Apple may come up with an innovative solution in which iPhone users would no longer need to use the touchscreen to navigate around the interface. This technology seems incredibly far-fetched at the moment, but this patent, first filed in 2010 shows that Apple has been thinking about this for a long time.

What are your thoughts on the iPhone 5 possibly having a 3D interface – are you ready for that kind of solution yet? The tradition touchscreen input is used on all smartphones at the moment and it is an interesting prospect on the thoughts of one smartphone manufacturer taking smartphone navigation to the next level. We doubt we will see this on the next iPhone though, but Face Unlock would be nice.