3D seems to be the latest fad. Half the new movies that come out use it to some extent, including the movie that made the highest (unadjusted) revenue of any single film yet. Even Nintendo has said that the next Gameboy DS will have 3D capabilities.
Now researchers in South Korea have come up with a system to create 3D e-books. Details are spare in the Reuters article, but it explains:
Pictures in the books have cues that trigger the 3D animation for readers wearing computer-screen goggles. As the reader turns and tilts the book, the 3D animation moves accordingly.
The leader of the research team said that the process could be used for any kind of book, and might eventually come to smartphones or museum exhibits, too. However, it might be “a while” before the technology becomes available to the general public.
I’m not sure I see the demand for 3D e-books, but I suppose it might work for children’s books. (Found via Gizmodo)
I can think of a few uses:
– Popup Books: Because that’s one form of book no eBook reader, not even the iPad, can currently duplicate accurately.
– Photography: There are stereo photography books in existence…
– Education/Text Books: Because, when it comes down to it, the flat pictures of a traditional text book doesn’t always show what needs to be shown in order to understand concepts.
However, 3-D for the sake of 3-D… i.e. a 3-D book displayed with static text… not such a great idea.