Patently Apple

New Virtual Controls from Apple Point to a Future iMac Touch

On February 2, 2012, the US Patent & Trademark Office published a patent application from Apple that describes new virtual controls for a desktop with a touchscreen. This once again illustrates that Apple may be working on an iMac Touch desktop computer. Considering that a company by the name of Perceptive Pixel will be introducing a 27" slanted Touch Display through various vendors later this year, Apple should step up this project from patent concept to reality sooner rather than later. In today's report, we'll show you a very cool video that'll make you lust for one of these new systems, I'm sure.  Note: An important update has added to this report at 1PM MST.  

Apple Cleverly Reinventing Emoticons & Dreaming of 3D Avatars

Yesterday the US Patent & Trademark Office published a pair of patent applications from Apple that revealed their intent to reinvent the whole notion of what emoticons should be in the future and how we should use them in our texting and emails. Apple describes a customizing process utilizing a Photo Booth-like engine that not only will create advanced cartoony characters but also very detailed 3D avatar variants of a user that are staggeringly realistic. Apple now has eight avatar related patents to their credit, with most of them having been published in the last eighteen months. We now recognize this as an official Apple trend and have created a new archive titled "Avatars + Virtual" to make it easier for you to research in the future. After reading our report, I think that you'll understand why one technology leader thinks that 3D Avatars could play a role in changing the way that we'll all communicate in the future – and I think he's right.  

Apple Details Advanced Avatar Editing App with Funny Animations

On October 13, 2011, the US Patent & Trademark Office published two patent applications from Apple that reveal a very detailed overview of an advanced avatar editing app. Using and creating Avatars has been a new trend emanating from Apple's engineering labs. The year began with Apple introducing us to "the Personalized Shopping Avatar" concept and have since followed through with an avatar creation tool for tablets in July and even mentioned Avatars being used in a mobile clubbing app just last week. In the bigger picture, Apple envisions the day when Avatars and related environments will be so rich that we'll be able to shop online in an Avatar centric Apple Store environment. When you think of the power of Apple's new Siri, an online Apple Rep with Siri's brain would seem very natural indeed. But for today, it's all about advanced creation and editing tools for Avatars. In the future, Apple envisions Avatars working with a wide variety of apps including but not limited to address books, chat sessions, video conferencing, email, games or any other application that could support an animated avatar. Apple is even working on a few humorous animated Avatars as well that will quickly replace antiquated emoticons. Apple obviously see's Avatars playing an expanding role in our online experiences, even when most of us just don't see it yet.  

Apple Thinks of Enhancing the Mobile Clubbing Scene with iTunes

Yesterday we mourned with the rest of the world as we learned of Steve Jobs passing on Wednesday evening. Today we move forward with a heavy heart - but remain focused on what we do best: Report on the insanely great inventions inspired by Steve Jobs and his team. During Apple's special event held earlier this week in Cupertino, Tim Cook spent a lot of time talking about how Apple still loved music and the iPod that started the mobile revolution. In a patent published by the USPTO on Thursday, we learned that Apple is working on a fresh new music sharing app that is uniquely designed for those who love the mobile clubbing scene. The app is described as tying in with the iOS notification system as well as with Twitter and Facebook social networking sites. And finally, our report covers the newly released iOS 5 split keyboard patent and more.    

Apple's Wild New 3D Gesturing is Aimed at CAD, Avatar Creation & More

 
On July 7, 2011, the US Patent & Trademark Office published a patent application from Apple that reveals various concepts behind newly advanced 3D gesturing that will apply to CAD applications for product and gaming developers as well as for consumers. According to Apple, next generation iPad and/or other iOS device displays will allow consumers to create avatars for 3D environments or assist homeowners in designing new landscapes and more by using simple 3D gesturing. The new 3D gesturing will control color and textures while allowing users to uniquely rotate objects to gain different perspectives of their designs. This is wild stuff that is bound to give Apple's competitors another huge headache.