The Apple Vision Pro is here to change the game. We have already seen a lot of what this space computer will be capable of, but there is much more. More that comes in the form of patents and, on this occasion, surprises us by suggesting the possibility of transforming any flat surface into a virtual trackpad, thus expanding the interactive capabilities of its devices. How is this possible? Through an accessory that could revolutionize the way we interact with virtual reality.
Apple has filed a patent (via Patently Apple) that describes a hardware device designed to turn any flat surface, from a table to an airplane seat tray, into a virtual Magic Trackpad with full gesture support. While it may seem curious to use physical hardware to emulate a virtual device that in turn emulates other physical hardware, there are significant advantages behind this idea.
Vision Pro accessories: modularity and versatility
In addition to the virtual trackpad functionality, Apple’s patent refers to a range of accessories for the Vision Pro that include additional cameras for a broader field of view and various sensors that can add capabilities to the device. Given Apple’s recent focus on health-related features, it’s not surprising that health sensors are being considered in this context.
Beyond this, the possibility of replacing a Mac and its external monitors with a single headset is truly intriguing, especially for those who travel frequently. Manual controls and gestures can be useful, but according to tests, they don’t replace the comfort and functionality of a physical keyboard and trackpad. This is where Apple’s patented accessory comes into play.
While the Vision Pro’s cameras may detect manual gestures, the patent suggests that they may not always provide the precision needed for certain tasks. An external device placed on the surface could potentially do a better job, as it would be on the same plane and could better detect specific gestures and distances, such as a finger touch or a stylus.
Important advantages over a physical trackpad
One might wonder: if physical hardware is needed to emulate a virtual trackpad, why not just use a physical trackpad? Although the patent doesn’t directly answer this question, it suggests that the device could be smaller than a conventional trackpad. Furthermore, its ability to track writing instruments, such as a pencil or stylus, suggests that it has a much more versatile role than merely emulating a trackpad.
Imagine, for example, being able to write with a pen on any surface and have our handwriting accurately reflected in a virtual document. Currently, the only way to achieve this is through the Apple Pencil and iPad, but with this simple accessory, any space would become a high-precision control.
And this accessory opens the door to more possibilities. Remembering that Apple may have created a smart ring, will Apple have undisclosed accessories for its initial presentation, or will it reserve these innovations for future models? Only time will tell. But what is certain is that the proposal to transform any surface into a high-precision virtual trackpad once again shows us that technology can blur the lines between the physical and the virtual, creating truly immersive and revolutionary experiences.
The Vision Pro and its potential accessories – which, in fact, were leaked more than three years ago in a video – are shaping up to be a significant leap in the world of virtual reality. The ability to interact with flat surfaces as if they were trackpads opens up a world of possibilities for professional users who need to go beyond the detection capabilities of the glasses themselves. Between that detection and the ability to project information onto the same surface, the applications of the Vision Pro grow in complexity and capabilities. A true step forward from the physical to the virtual.
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