Is The Future of 3D in Apple's Hands?

Another week, another set of rumours about Apple's next move.  Just last week, speculation centred on Apple's plans to launch a new TV service.  The rumour mill has moved on, and the latest claims surround plans to launch glasses-free 3D displays ranging in size from 3.5'' to 32'' to persuade reluctant consumers to at last make the switch to three dimensions.

Don't say we didn't warn you: this is pure speculation for the time being!

Popular news site Examiner.com has spoken to an internal source who claimed that the TV project that Steve Jobs was working on won't just be a new easy to use television platform: it will also boast glasses-free 3D.

The source goes even further, suggesting that the 3D displays won't just be for TVs: ''We have prototypes of many different sized 3D displays—all the way from 3.5 inches to 32 inches. These displays are nothing like the glasses-free 3D displays that have a very narrow sweet spot for viewing. I can’t even describe how amazing they are. You’ll hear more about this by the middle of the year.''

Our usual reaction would be to wonder just what this 'source' had taken to leave him so enthusiastic, but the Examiner makes a very good point that has already been demonstrated several times over in the past.  Apple certainly didn't invent glasses-free 3D, or any kind of 3D at all for that matter, but the company has demonstrated its ability to make a simple version of a technology an attractive proposition for the general public.

One of our forum users also sent pointed out the following patents recently awarded to Apple.

He tells us, ''there's a camera to detect viewers' faces, as well as any movements.  It's a lot like the Microsoft Kinect.'

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