You May Be Able to Control Apple Glass with the Veins in Your Hands
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Apple patents often offer fans an early glimpse of future technological innovations from the company. Sometimes that includes designs of foldable smartphones, other times, it might show-off the software required to take group selfies while social-distancing. But something that Apple has been developing in secret is the Apple Glove, a highly-anticipated accessory for the future Apple Glass. But a new patent could offer an alternative.
Around mid-June, a series of Apple Glove concept images were produced by iDrop News, suggesting what these gloves could look like. And past patents have solidified what they might do, according to our past reports,
Apple may incorporate a type of force-sensing circuity woven directly into the fabric of the gloves. These force sensors detect when a person picks up an object and can relay that information to a computer, a VR headset, or other connected devices.
Now, this is further reinforced by a new patent from Apple. The tech appears to be designed to scan the veins of a user’s hand so they can better track finger positions. This would allow for more accurate gesture controls.
In the patent’s filing, the authors note that “While voice and touch input can be an effective way to control a device, there may be situations where the user’s ability to speak the verbal command or perform the touch gesture may be limited.”
As such, the patented device would take pictures of a user’s hands and track the veins. Then, as the hands are used, they would use vein tracking as a way to determine the particular gestures being used.
The tech itself could, in theory, be used with an Apple Watch, presuming future watches also have a visual-gesture interface. A more likely option is that users will be able to “link” their hands to the Apple Glass, which would use the installed camera to track movement and features while the user interfaces with the Apple Glass device.
It could also be handy for future Mac or iPad usage, however, that’s all speculation, For the time being, we’ll have to wait to see how this tech will be incorporated in future Apple devices.
[The information provided in this article has NOT been confirmed by Apple and may be speculation. Provided details may not be factual. Take all rumors, tech or otherwise, with a grain of salt.]