The Apple Vision Pro is almost certainly the best mixed reality headset out there, but one area where the Meta is clearly ahead is gaming. Virtual reality headsets have been mostly used for gaming and fitness until now, and no headset does this job better than the Meta Quest. But that may be about to change.
According to a newly published patent with the USPTO, Apple is developing a deformable controller to improve user interaction with 3D games and other content on devices such as the iPad, Mac and Vision Pro. A deformable controller is exactly what it sounds like – something you can move around entirely. Imagine pressing, twisting and bending this controller to move through virtual worlds.
This deformable controller isn’t just a static piece of plastic; it’s designed to move virtual objects, adjust audio settings, draw in 3D, and even play immersive 3D video games. The controller’s nub-shaped housing, complete with an elongated dome, can be squeezed and twisted to provide data, detected via an array of sophisticated sensors embedded within the flexible structure.
What else can this deformable controller do?
The deformable controller is versatile. It can work with a head-mounted display like the Vision Pro, or function as a standalone remote control for your iPad or Mac. Sensors in the controller can detect everything from multi-touch gestures and force inputs to more complex deformation inputs. This means you can pinch, rotate and press just the right amount, and the controller will translate these movements into precise actions on the screen.
According to the patent, Apple’s vision for this controller includes integration with various sensors – 3D sensors, cameras, eye tracking systems, and even microphones for voice commands. This level of interaction opens up a whole new world of possibilities, from adjusting audio settings with a squeeze to navigating complex 3D menus with a twist.
The patent describes a number of possible uses. Imagine using this deformable controller to draw in a 3D program, play complex video games, or move virtual objects with unprecedented precision. The flexibility (quite literally) of this controller can make it a game changer, with its unlimited uses. You can already connect controllers, keyboards and microphones to Vision Pro to control apps without eye and hand control, but that would be a step further.
In classic Apple style, the patent doesn’t say much about when we might see this new controller hit the shelves. It may never come out. But if it does, it could make the Vision Pro the best headset for immersive 3D content.
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