3D has always been topic of bitter division between experts, with nobody being able to agree on whether seeing the third dimension is worth it compared to a crisp HD picture. However it has recently emerged that Apple might be considering implementing this technology into their devices, presumably the iPad or iPhone.
This is a reasonable assumption, as they have put up a job opening requiring specialist 3D knowledge including ‘inpainting of occluded geometry and texture data’. However would it work, especially on devices such as the iPhone, where the screen is only three and a half inches? Would we be able to experience full 3D on such a small screen?
It would clearly work better on the iPad, and it could be fairly effective. Nintendo was the first to foray into the mobile 3D market with their 3DS console, and their technology allows the 3D affect to be adjusted if it is too strong. Something like that could be a good feature on an iPad, as many have reported headaches from using the 3DS for long periods of time.
As for the iPhone, I would say unless 3D technology gets very good very fast, it’s a no go zone. It would clearly need to be something similar to the 3DS (i.e glasses free), but the issue would then arise about keeping hold of the Retina quality, something that Apple fans are incredibly attached to. It would be barely noticeable, and it would only serve to bump up an already fairly steep price tag.
Ultimately though, I think everyone needs to take a step back. Has anyone thought that this 3D job could be for something else, such as a new ‘Apple TV’ or ‘iTV’? 3D works better with big screens, and Apple might be planning to implement it only with their rumored new TV.
While Apple definitely has a bright 2012 ahead, I think that 3D technology in their mobile devices, at least for now, will wait. It could be that their rumored new TV is 3D, and that’s something very plausible due to the larger screen and more natural 3D environment, but otherwise, I don’t see what benefit it would bring to the table.
