Apple applies for patents for 3D gestures and "physics metaphors" control

The Apple iPhone changed the smartphone market when it launched, with the iPad having an equally huge affect when it comes to tablets. Not content with changing the way we use touchscreen technology, however, Apple is in the process of registering another set of patents, which could see the company’s gadgets get even more advanced.
Before the iPhone and iPad came along, we were accustomed to tapping touchscreen phones and tablets with a stylus. Apple shook up the market, introducing multi-touch to the mainstream, and also introducing an intuitive set of gestures such as pinch to zoom.

The latest set of patents from Apple see the company also using proximity sensors alongside the display, so rather than just touching it, you’ll be able to make gestures above the display itself, with the phone or tablet responding to the user waving their hand around.

Another patent classed as “physics metaphors” takes advantage of the device’s motion sensors, with the ability to move files around or to other devices by a simple flick of the wrist.

As with previous products, the new gestures could also make their way on to Apple’s MacBook and MacBook Pro range, changing the way we work.

One thing we’re certain of, and that’s if the new gestures do make it to the iPhone, iPad or MacBook, we’ll soon see other manufacturers sitting up and taking note – as we’ve seen with two-fingered scrolling, pinch to zoom and other gestures made popular by Apple.