Apple patent pitch hints at 3D imaging on iPhone, iPad

Another Apple patent has turned up and this one is just as cool as the last, if not cooler. Once again, though, I must caution you that just because Apple filed for a patent, it doesn't mean that this technology will ever see the light of day. Now that that's out of the way, let's move on to the goods.

The patent that was found recently deals with a technology for taking a 3D picture using the cameras found in iOS devices. 3D has become the norm for almost every device it seems, so it's surprising that it has taken Apple this long to come up with something like this. According to the patent, the technology would utilize "depth-detection sensors" to create stereo disparity maps in creating 3D imagery.

The new cameras are also supposed to include facial recognition and facial gesturing. Awesome. This camera should be able to take such awesome 3D photos that they can only be appreciated on Apple's Retina display. It is also saying that 3D pictures could be taken using ONE of more cameras which differs from today's technology which requires two for perspective differences. It will be cool to see if or when this technology shows up.