Apple could incorporate Kinect-like motion sensors in future iPhones

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Apple is no stanger to quirky patents – and its latest offering dug up by PatentlyApple suggests that Xbox Kinect-like motion sensors could be incorporated into a future iPhone.

The patent consists of a a new 3D GUI concept which shows off 3D objects on a floor with 2D icons on the back and sidewalls. When the iPhone is rotated, the view moves accordingly – rotating the phone clockwise will, for example, ‘snap’ the view on to the left wall’s 2D icons.

Motion sensors would also let you gesture above the surface of your iPhone Kinect-style, for swiping through screens, controlling video and (we expect) playing games – Kinect Fruit Ninja, anyone?

As with many of Apple’s patents, this one should be taken with a pinch of salt – and while this GUI’s usefulness for a phone is debatable, a docked iPad with gesture controls would be a welcome addition to our lazy lives.

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Dan is Editor-in-chief of Stuff, working across the magazine and the Stuff.tv website. Our Editor-in-Chief is a regular at tech shows such as CES in Las Vegas, IFA in Berlin and Mobile World Congress in Barcelona as well as at other launches and events. He has been a CES Innovation Awards judge. Dan is completely platform agnostic and very at home using and writing about Windows, macOS, Android and iOS/iPadOS plus lots and lots of gadgets including audio and smart home gear, laptops and smartphones. He's also been interviewed and quoted in a wide variety of places including The Sun, BBC World Service, BBC News Online, BBC Radio 5Live, BBC Radio 4, Sky News Radio and BBC Local Radio.