The 3D operating system flashes a virtual light on the icons which cast shadows on the screen.  The user may place the virtual light anywhere on the screen.

 

Even better, the 3D operating system casts shadow based on external sources of light like streetlight or sun. This is just awesome as it adapts iPhone’s display based on the surroundings.

And Apple does not stop here. The 3D operating system also tracks users gaze and displays icons based on user’s distance and angle of view.

 

Then the 3D operating system puts a spotlight based on users gaze to highlight areas of user’s interest.

 

 

Interesting, the hardware used by apple is already present in most of smartphones launched recently.  The 3D operating system uses GPS module, accelerometer, gyrometer and compass, to infer a 3D frame of reference for iPhone.

 

 

Once accurate position of phone is known, front facing camera is used to estimate distance to the user and angle of view. Ambient
Light sensors are used to detect sources of light.

 

User can switch between 2D mode and 3D mode by performing an activation gesture to save battery

 

With this patent, apple has taken strong steps to free users from the artificial “flat world” created by current devices.

Now android really needs to catch up!