Is 3D the Future for Smartphones?
3D Technology Today
3D technology has come along way. Many people remember 3D as the old films in red and blue with paper glasses. That image quickly
faded away as Real3D technology revolutionized the 3D cinema market.
Real3D technology eliminated the red and blue color scheme and provided a wonderful 3D experience; it still does in many cinemas. Real3D and similar technologies have one major disadvantage: they require 3D glasses. These special glasses enable your eyes to see two different “videos” on the screen and create a 3D image in your mind.
The need for 3D glasses previously made 3D technology impractical for home use in devices such as TV’s, computers and even 3D smartphones. However that is quickly changing as 3D technology rapidly advances. The strong demand for 3D television quickly led to the development of 3D televisions which could be used at home without glasses. Toshiba was the first to release a 3D television without glasses and others soon followed.
3D technology still has not made its way into the home PC market but once it does, 3D smartphones will soon follow.
3D Smartphones Already Exist
While it may seem unrealistic; 3D smartphones are actually already in existence. While the sale of 3D smartphones is still not widespread because of the limitations of the technology, they can be found in some eastern markets.
Furthermore, many major cell phone manufacturers have already announced and debuted their 3D smartphone technology. Nokia showcased their 3D smartphone in 2009. The very rudimentary 3D image displayed did not require any type of glasses to be viewed. Motorola has also released information about a 3D smartphone which is capable of displaying 3D images without glasses using two different 2D screens to create a 3D effect.
More recently, Sharp announced a newer technology known as Parallax Barrier. This technology offers the ability to switch between 2D and 3D modes on a screen and is usable without the need for 3D glasses. This technology very well may be the future of 3D smartphones.
Implications of 3D Smartphones
Just because it is possible does not necessarily mean it is practical. The constant need to advance technology means we often venture into unknown territory. 3D looks stunning in movie theaters, on televisions and can even be useful on home computers.
Pushing 3D technology to a smartphone can be questionable. Many users believe that there is no practical use for 3D smartphones. In reality there are many different possible implications for 3D smartphones.
Things such as 3D video games on a smartphone are one possibility. The ability to enjoy an immersive video game or virtual reality experience in 3D on a portable device is a very appealing idea. Media is also another big possibility with 3D movies on smartphones. Communication may also benefit from the addition of 3D, imagine a technology similar to video chat in 3D for 3D smartphones.
There is currently no release date for any 3D smartphone on the market. With the constant desire to advance smartphone technology and the already existent 3D smartphones it is only a matter of time before these devices become commercially available. Regardless of whether or not 3D smartphones are practical, it is inevitable that they will become the standard in smartphone technology in the future.
For more information about the future of mobile phones check out this article on 15 Future Cell Phones.
