iPad 2 does 3D screen trick

Researchers in France have managed to get '3D' images to display on iPads using camera-based head tracking.

Jeremie Francone and Laurence Nigay, from EHCI research group have created a program which shows 3D images on the tablet's 9.7 inch screen.

The program uses the devices' front-mounted cameras to track your face. It then moves and tilts the image on-screen so it looks like a 3D image, with real depth.

The difference between this and a 3DTV or a 3DS is that it's just a trick - it isn't really showing 3D at all, and in fact it can run on any normal iPad or iPhone.

DSi's '3D' game, Looksley's Line Up

This trick has actually been seen before - on Nintendo's DSi. Looksley's Line Up, a downloadable DSiWare title, released last year and it used the DSi's front camera to create supposed 3D.

3D is all the rage this year, with 3DS recently becoming the first glasses-free 3D device to hit the mass market and phone-makers LG looking to follow suit with the LG Optimus, the world's first 3D smartphone.


Whether Apple actually take the French pair's research and apply it to their apps and firmware remains to be seen - but it shows how 3D content is being delivered in ever more clever ways.