When we talk about 3D when it comes to displays, the third dimension we’re talking about is a z-axis popping out at you, a la the Nintendo 3DS. But when we talk about the possibility of a 3D iPad, or a 3D iPhone, or any other 3D touchscreen device, why are we talking about Apple adding a superfluous visual dimension when we can be talking about adding a very real tactile dimension to the same device?
In other words, when you poke an icon on iOS, what’s more important: for it to float off the screen, or for it to feel like you pressed something physical, and not ephemeral. That’s just the problem that Peratech is working on, and with its QTC (Quantum Tunneling Composite) Clear, it’s come up with an invention that any Apple fan can excited about: a force-sensitive touchscreen that allows users to apply the third-dimension of pressure.
What does that mean? Think of painters being able to apply pressure to the strokes of their virtual brushes, or on-screen game controls that were truly analogue.
Best of all, Peratech’s tech can be used not only to replace resistive touchscreens (think: stylys-based) but also to supplement capacitive ones, like the iPad’s. And since the touchscreen is only between 6-8 microns thick and the panels draws almost no current, it ‘s a good fit for iOS’s line-up.
[via Gadget Lab]
John Brownlee is a writer for Fast Company, and a contributing writer here at CoM. He has also written for Wired, Playboy, Boing Boing, Popular Mechanics, VentureBeat, and Gizmodo. He lives in Boston with his wife and two parakeets. You can follow him here on Twitter.
17 responses to “Could The iPad 3 Use The Third Dimension Of Pressure?”
I think Apple may eventually add pressure sensitivity to their screens. It fits in with their strategy to release new hardware features which developers can than make use of in the next iOS upgrade. We’ve after all seen apps that make use of gyroscope, digital compass, etc which goes a little bit towards persuading people to upgrade their iPhones and such. For example I’m sure a portion of the people upgraded their iPod touches to 4th gen so they too could use apps that made use of the camera. Not saying all people upgrade because of that, but some which is a sale at the end of the day.
Apple’s iOS hardware can hear, see, know it’s location and orientation, seems pressure will at some point be the next sense. I think it could have a lot of applications, for instance people have said GarageBand’s drums are apparently a little hit and miss when played on certain surfaces using the current accelerometer method, so pressure sensitivity could solve that. Naturally artists stand to benefit. I think it’s better having it on a screen than as one person suggested having it on a pen.
hi there yeah ipad 3 needs be in true 3d no glasses and have 256 gb flash drive storage quadrupple flash storage
This article is very flawed. There is no evidence to back up your information and the article about QTC would not work with iDevices because they require multitouch gestures. Event a thirteen-year old can spot out these flaws in this article (which I am).
As soon as Apple started touting the pressure sensitivity hack they built into Garage Band for the iPad, I figured pressure sensitive touch systems was going to be the next big thing for their iOS devices. I don’t know that it’s going to use Peratech’s stuff, but the ability to get the pressure the user is applying is going to be an integral part of touch interfaces.
its impossible for ipad or any touchscreen to be 3d, nintendo stated that they didnt make the touch screen on the 3ds 3d because of smearing of the image, and most apple products are ONLY touchscreen so its very unlikely they make one
Whats wrong with the G-force sensor like garageband uses?
What about the Evo 3D?
What about the Evo 3D?
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