Microsoft patents point towards 3D Live Tiles for next generation Windows Phone UI

November 1, 2012 at 13:13 GMT | By John Williams


One of Microsoft's latest patents suggests that the Redmond giant is already looking at improving the innovative "Live Tiles" which started off in Windows Phone 7. The patents, approved in Q3 2012, show several ideas ranging from 3D cubes to rollable cylinders that make use of smaller device interfaces.

An example of a 3D Live Tile would be that of a user being able to manually tap on a panel of a music application and the icon will rotate to display another panel indicating the currently playing song. The panel will either automatically rotate back to the front icon (e.g. photo of artist) or will be manually turned by the user at will. Read more here.

Interestingly, My Nokia Blog suggest that Microsoft might have got the idea from one of their readers' concept. Apparently, Microsoft's patent was applied for in Q2 2011 and approved in Q3 2012, while the reader's concept was posted on April 19th 2011. We think it's to far fetched, Microsoft's patent is more sophisticated than just a 2D flipping tile. Have a look at the video:




SOURCE: Patent Bolt

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  • About the Author
    John S. Williams

    John fell in love with the Microsoft mobile platform the moment he laid his eyes on the indomitable HTC HD2. Currently an IT project manager, John devotes the little time he can spare to WPSF. Current device » Nokia Lumia 800



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