Hasta La Gadget!

When Google Glass was announced, it wasn’t too surprising to hear that other companies were rumored to be interested in something similar as well, with reports claiming that companies like Samsung and Microsoft could have something in the works as well. In fact it wasn’t too long ago that it was revealed that Apple had a prototype in the works, and thanks to a new patent, more information about said prototype has been revealed. According to the patent, it describes a goggle-like device that basically looks like the diagram above, although unlike Google Glass which seems to be more functional and offers up more features, this particular patent feels more straightforward.

It basically allows the wearer to view media through the goggles, albeit at a larger view compared to their mobile device’s display. There are other features described in the patent, such as the ability for the goggles to individually account for the wearer’s eyesight, where someone with prescription glasses might have different powered lenses on each side. “In some embodiments, the goggle system may include data processing circuitry operative to adjust left and right images generated by the optical components to display 3-D media, or account for a user’s eyesight limitations.”

We’re not too sure if this is the same prototype that was discussed last time, but it sounds pretty close. The patent was filed for back in 2008, so chances of this being new technology is slim. There’s no telling if Apple will ever realize this patent, but for now we can only imagine what it would be like.

Apple Patent Reveals Plans For A Goggle Device original content from Ubergizmo.

Apple has received a patent for curved touchscreens and displays, according to AppleInsider, which describes a system for making curved touch sensitive glass. The method patented by Apple is designed to create a curved screen surface that remains touch sensitive without deforming or distorting the image the display would produce, and would be able to be used in displays, touch-sensitive mice (like the current Magic Mouse) touch pads and other devices.

Apple’s tech differs from some existing curved glass techniques because often the substrate that adds touch sensitivity to a device is flat, regardless of whether the glass panel that covers it is curved. As a result, touch sensitivity suffers, since sometimes a person’s finger is actually further away from the touch panel than it might appear, or than in a traditional, non-curved device.

The patent includes a method for a screen with variations in the curvature of the surface, too. Specifically, it lays out what looks like a series of bubbles, which you could see used as a means for creating a raised pattern over a software keyboard, for instance. This could be handy in creating touch-sensitive button interfaces on things like displays for controlling things like brightness and volume, or for adding more obvious input methods to something like a touch mouse without swaying from the all-touch design.

Apple hasn’t made any overt moves to create curved glass mobile devices like some of its competitors including LG and Samsung, but it is building up some buzz around screens that don’t conform to normal designs. A Bloomberg report from November even went so far as to suggest the company was working on a curved glass iPhone for release in late 2014, and that it was also building better touch input for future devices. A patent for better touchscreen designs for curved glass devices definitely lines up with those reports.

Curved glass may be a fad, but it’s not yet clear what the merits of such a tech will be in terms of scratching a consumer itch. Still, it’s obviously an area worth watching, given that everyone and their brother seems to be putting at least R&D spend into making those next-gen displays more than just flat.

Curved iPhone render courtesy Ciccarese Design.

An Apple patent application has cropped up on the United States Patent and Trademark Office’s website showing a smart docking station for the iPhone, something that will make using Siri from across the room a simple matter. According to the patent, the docking station has an integrated microphone that is always listening for voice commands, […]

We know that Samsung is working on devices with flexible displays. This is evidenced in the company’s display of its Youm technology earlier this year at CES 2013, and the announcement and subsequent release of the Galaxy Round, a smartphone with a curved display. However if Samsung’s patents are any indication, it seems that not only can we expect flexible displays from the South Korean tech giant in the future, but we might be able to expect transparent displays too.

According to the patent filed by Samsung, it describes a device in which how using touch controls on the back of the device, such as through a transparent touchscreen display can be used to perform different functions. For example during a video clip, tapping the back of the display can pause the video and sliding your finger on the back will allow you to capture a screenshot as well. The patent also describes how one can move to overlapping objects, with one finger on the front and the other at the back, with both fingers controlling either object.

The transparent touchscreen display can also allow for more elaborate unlocking mechanisms, for example. This is not the first time rear touch controls have been implemented. In fact Sony’s PS Vita comes with rear touch pads which can be used during games as well. As with the case of most patents, it’s hard to tell if and when Samsung will start making these displays a reality, but in the meantime what do you guys think?

Samsung Could Be Working On Transparent Displays With Rear Touchscreen Controls original content from Ubergizmo.

A new patent filing suggests that Apple could be looking to include facial recognition technology on future hardware. The details come by way of a USPTO filing for patent number 8,600,120. More interesting than the number though, said filing talks of controlling a “personal computing device” using “face detection and recognition.” The language in the […]