[gazza]

An Apple patent filing revealed this week seems to suggest the company could be planning to add a 3D user interface or ‘multi-dimensional desktop’ to the Mac experience.

Apple Insider reveals a number of patent images showing that Apple has spent a considerable amount of time outlining a new multi-dimensional interface for Mac OS X.

The Apple patent was submitted to the United States Patent and Trademark Office back in June 2007 but only revealed this week.

The most detailed of those filings is one labelled ‘Multi-Dimensional Desktop’ which depicts a 3D interface by which side walls, a top, and a floor all protrude from a back surface that resembles today's two-dimensional Mac OS X desktop.

For an extensive explanation and graphics of how the 3D interface might look and work head over to AppleInsider. This is another example of how Apple continues to beat the crowd when it comes to innovation with Operating Systems!!

gazza

[mickdevlin]

It seems ill-defined in that such a large range of configuration options may overwhelm the user (too many objects windows on the screen). It is also difficulty to see how it can be implemented using existing display hardware, particularly on laptops where screen resolution is limited. The back wall would make the Desktop appear smaller and reduce the amount of area available for document windows.

[Ken Gracey]

It looks like a totally silly idea to me, I hope there is a way to switch it off in the Prefs.




TL

[clinton1550]

Sounds a bit gimmicky to me.

A 3D user interface would only be useful if it was:

1) Intuitive and easy to use

2) Increased productivity or enable us to do things that we previously couldn't

That being said, I have said elsewhere in the past that the next thing Apple will be doing is 3D interfaces.

[Some Random Bloke]

You can be sure it won't be implemented unless it is up to Apple's high UI standards.

Or Steve has a brain freeze. But I doubt that.

[mickdevlin]

In the twelve months since this thread started Apple has since refined the interface to use head-tracking.

[Ken Gracey]

Ok i will go out on a limb here, and say it will be as popular as voice Control on a mac, and we all know how popular that is



TL

[clinton1550]

Ok i will go out on a limb here, and say it will be as popular as voice Control on a mac, and we all know how popular that is



TL

Oh yeah, I use it all the time.

[Some Random Bloke]

The story below the one in question looks interesting - determining if your device has enough juice to finish playing a video.

[Molecule]

One word: w00t!

As a sci-fi nerd, this sounds incredibly cool. I'd also like to be able to control the computer via a finger-tracking camera with gestures etc.

Molecule

[mickdevlin]

A 3D interface may look like the one demonstrated at this site (watch the video).

Whilst the piles is a demonstration of a concept that has been around since the '90s, It was good to see it in action. overall however, the Desktop was too messy (i.e. too much "stuff") for me to use in its present form.

[Some Random Bloke]

A 3D interface may look like the one demonstrated at this site (watch the video).

Whilst the piles is a demonstration of a concept that has been around since the '90s, It was good to see it in action. overall however, the Desktop was too messy (i.e. too much "stuff") for me to use in its present form.

Looks like my physical desktop.

[mickdevlin]

A mess?

[Some Random Bloke]

A mess?

Absolutely!

[Molecule]

Hmm...interesting. Not quite the paradigm shift I was looking for (why? Well, for a start it retains the whole notion of a 'Desktop'. How many of you actually have icons on your desktops these days, anyway? I certainly don't.), but still looks cool. I might have to download this and give it a whirl.


Molecule

[mickdevlin]

How many of you actually have icons on your desktops these days, anyway? I certainly don't.)

None, except when I take a screen shot.

[Some Random Bloke]

Hmm...interesting. Not quite the paradigm shift I was looking for (why? Well, for a start it retains the whole notion of a 'Desktop'. How many of you actually have icons on your desktops these days, anyway? I certainly don't.), but still looks cool. I might have to download this and give it a whirl.


Molecule

A bit. I have a friend who puts stuff he's working on there. I've seen people who's desktop is overflowing.

[mickdevlin]

That's what the Dock and the Finder sidebar are for (if you have a Mac.)

[Some Random Bloke]

That's what the Dock and the Finder sidebar are for (if you have a Mac.)

Oh, you mean app icons? No, they're where they should be. But I have the odd file on my desk top. Ones that I'll probably forget but otherwise want to read at some point.

[mickdevlin]

I understood what you meant and my comment stands: use the Finder sidebar and the Dock.