According to Apple Insider a “gaze detection” patent was published by Apple today, suggesting a continued focus on this area.
So what does this mean? Well Google first started working on gaze detection in 2012 and this new patent provides us with more information on this. Suggesting we’ll soon be able to control the Apple interface with not just the flick of a finger, but with a dart of the eyes.
This new patent is much more specific than anything we’ve seen previously and suggests that gaze detection will be used initially to control things like popups and app notifications.
It revolves around delaying events according to the position of a user’s eyes. So functionality like spelling auto-correct would not be actioned until Apple knew you were looking at certain part of the screen.
Other time sensitive events this development could be used for include controlling app notification badges (so they didn’t appear until you glanced at the screen) and even the screen display brightness (dimming and brightening as to whether you’re looking at the screen or not).
Although gaze detection isn’t expected to replace touchscreen anytime soon this new patent definitely feels like a nod to how Apple might start introducing this new technology.
So what do you think – would you enjoy controlling your Apple device with your eyes, or are you more of a traditionalist? Let us know in the comments below…