Apple Patent Describes Showing 3D Images On Flat Screens Without Need For Glasses

Getting 3D images to work on consumer devices, especially without the need for specialised glasses, is not easy. But an Apple patent describes a method that the company is considering using to make it happen. But while it answers that half of the equation, it raises more on the other.

The Apple patent describes getting a flat screen, presumably that of an iPhone or iPad, to show 3D images for VR and AR content. But this doesn’t involve having two screens for the way VR and AR headsets work. Instead, it will alternate rows of pixels in a screen, so that one set of pixel rows show one image, and the other shows the second.

But as mentioned earlier, the patent only describes the way the screen will simulate the overlapping of two images for the 3D effect. What the patent doesn’t mention is the user side of things. Like the way this will help users create the 3D depth without the help of glasses or goggles. Nor does it say if there’s any supporting tech, like gaze detection that we see on the Nintendo 3DS.

As is always the case with patents, having one filed doesn’t mean Apple will actually make something with this tech. And considering the challenges behind it, it probably won’t be anytime soon until we see it, if ever.

Specifications, Images And Video Of An Alleged DJI Air 2S Drone Leaks

Details and media of an unannounced DJI Air 2S have recently surfaced online,  thanks to several industry sources. The drone is expected to be an updated version of last year’s Mavic Air 2, equipped with various improvements and added compatibility with newer DJI peripherals. 

Based on the images provided by TechnikNews and WinFuture’s Roland Quandt as well as a leaked teaser trailer by OsitaLV, the DJI Air 2S features a new 1-inch 20MP sensor for its onboard camera – among others that we will get to in a bit.  While the megapixel count is assumingly lower than its predecessor, the newer sensor still offers a larger pixel size – therefore offering clearer and brighter images, especially in low light conditions.

Technik News added that the new drone would also feature the latest version of DJI’s ActiveTrack feature which enables for more accurate and responsive tracking of subjects, as well as OcuSync 3.0 for improved low-latency communication between the drone and its pilot. Powering the device is said to be a 3,500mAh battery.

Meanwhile, DroneDJ reports that the Air 2S will include compatibility and support with DJI’s more recent accessories. These are said to include the V2 Goggles and motion controller that was launched together with the new FPV drone last month.

Lastly, one of the leaked images also revealed what appears a Fly More bundle which includes extra fan blades, cables and batteries, as well as other accessories. Naturally, the package also comes with the drone itself and its respective controller.

The expected pricing and release date for the DJI Air 2S is still not known for now. However, DroneDJ noted that the drone’s listing has been recently spotted in the US’ FCC database, which indicates that an official launch may happen sometime soon. 

For your reference, the standard bundle of last year’s DJI Mavic Air 2 launched at a retail price of US$799 (locally at RM3,290).

Images Of Delidded Intel Core i7-11700K Make Their Way Online

It’s been a week since a full-on review of Intel’s 11th generation Core i7-11700K CPU by Anandtech was published, the renowned tech site having purchased the processor a full month ahead of the lineup’s official launch. Now, images of the CPU without its modesty-inducing lid and Thermal Interface Material (TIM) are beginning to appear online.

The image was first posted by MoBen over at Overclock – who also seems to have procured the 11700K through similar (German) channels such as Anandtech – and shows off the 11700K’s die in all its glory. It is reported that both the 11700K and last generation’s Core i9-10900K possess the same die size. However, by MoBen’s account and after a quick side-by-side comparison, they say that the 11700K is estimated to be between 260mm2 and 270mm2, making it approximately 28% larger.

Sadly for MoBen, the delidding process was not a successful one, meaning that they were not able to test the 11700K at all. That said, like all 11th generation Rocket Lake-S desktop CPUs, we know that the lineup will be the last to be based on Intel’s already archaic 14nm process node (backported from 10nm) but more to the point, it also finally supports the new PCIe 4.0 interface, which was first introduced by AMD and its Ryzen 3000 series CPUs and 500 series AM4 motherboard, back in 2019.

WhatsApp Reportedly Working On New Disappearing Images Feature

As most of us are aware by now, the current version of WhatsApp allows users to post disappearing messages in chats, which is automatically deleted after seven days. According to a recent discovery by WABetaInfo (via Twitter), it appears that the Facebook-owned platform may be implementing that feature to image sharing as well.

The site says that the new disappearing images will function differently than its text-based counterpart. Reportedly taking cues from a similar feature on Instagram Direct, WhatsApp will immediately delete designated photos after the receiver has viewed it once. Due to their temporary nature, it’s also likely that disappearing images are not stored on the receiver’s device or in chat backups.

Based on the screenshots provided, disappearing photos are designated by tapping the “1” icon below its preview before sending it to the receiver. Once sent, the image will appear as a blurred thumbnail, which users are required to tap in order to view it in full. After the receiver has opened the thumbnail, WhatsApp will then notify that the image will be deleted upon closing the viewer or chat.

WABetaInfo added that users are also restricted from forwarding these photos to another chat or exporting them outside of the private messaging platform. However, it also noted that WhatsApp does not feature any form of screenshot detection or prevention – a privacy flaw that is also present for its existing disappearing messages feature. Therefore, it is still possible that users may utilise screen capture in order to keep these temporary photos. Until certain preventive measures are implemented, it is advisable to not share anything highly confidential via this approach, or only send it to trusted individuals.

It is not known when exactly WhatsApp is planning to implement this new disappearing images feature to its service. WABetaInfo vaguely suggests that it will arrive in a future update on both Android and iOS versions of the app, which could mean several weeks or months down the line.

Images Of Alleged Apple AirPods 3 Show Up Online

It’s been nearly two years since Apple announced the second generation AirPods. Just a month before its second birthday, pictures of what are claimed to be its successor have appeared online.

These images come via Chinese site 52audio, which has previously shared similar images. The site also claims that the third generation Apple AirPods will come with some features from the Pro version. Among them are the pressure-relieving system that reduces the discomfort of having them in your ear for extended periods of time. Another is the inclusion of more touch controls beyond the single and double tap controls.

The authenticity of these images is still uncertain though. On one hand, these match a previous report by Bloomberg stating that the new Apple AirPods will take design cues from the AirPods Pro. But on the other, MacRumors previously called into question the x-ray image of the new AirPods, which does look like a squished AirPods Pro.

Conflicting reports extend to their official unveiling too. 52audio claims that Apple will have an event for the new generation AirPods on 16 March. This is echoed by Jon Prosser, but MacRumors editor Joe Rossignol has denied this. Though he does leave the window open for the rest of March, and indeed the whole of spring, which is between March and June.