Microsoft is set to add an advanced Kinect-like motion sensing system to its Windows Phone OS, according to a new report.
The system, known as 3D Touch or Real Motion, has apparently been in development at Nokia for a number years, which means that Microsoft inherited it as part of the Finnish company’s purchase.
Among its many uses, The Verge claims that 3D Touch will enable you to answer calls simply by holding the phone to your ear, to put a call on speakerphone by laying it down on a table, and to hang up by putting your phone in your pocket. You’ll also be able to do things like mute the microphone by holding the phone to your chest, or dismiss notifications with a simple wave of your hand.
Taking a leaf from the Xbox Kinect system’s book, you’ll even be able to interact with the Windows Phone UI without physically touching it. This could involve drilling down into further options related to a Live Tile by hovering your finger over it and making a tapping movement.
As you might expect, such advanced applications will require a phone with some advanced sensor technology, and that’s said to be in the works.
The Nokia McLaren, as it’s codenamed, will be the first phone to feature 3D Touch when it launches later this year. It’s seen as a true Nokia Lumia 1020 successor, which means it should also feature an advanced (and rather chunky) camera.
It’s claimed that the sides of the McLaren will also be sensitive to the touch, allowing you to zoom the camera app by swiping along the phone’s edge, to name one example.
Microsoft is said to be aiming to remove the need for hardware buttons, simplifying its hardware as much as possible. This might even see the end of the power button, as phones could simply switch on when held.
It’s claimed that Microsoft is in the process of reaching out to app and game developers to support the 3D touch sensor system, but that it will not make the technology available to third party Windows Phone manufacturers such as Samsung and HTC.
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