Apple patents 3D projection technology, hires Tom Cruise as top advisor

If you're getting tired of those flat, outdated, two-dimensional computer displays, you may be in luck. Apple, enticingly, has patented technology for simulated 3D projection, as uncovered by AppleInsider from a filing with the US Patent and Trademark Office back in September 2006.

This new breed of display hardware would employ autostereoscopy (ooooh) to produce three-dimensional images that can be viewed by multiple users without the need for stupid 3D glasses or headgear.

"Modern three-dimensional (3D) display technologies are increasingly popular and practical not only in computer graphics, but in other diverse environments and technologies as well," Apple said in the 25-page filing. "Growing examples include medical diagnostics, flight simulation, air traffic control, battlefield simulation, weather diagnostics, entertainment, advertising, education, animation, virtual reality, robotics, biomechanical studies, scientific visualization, and so forth."

Although there's no telling if or when this technology will actually surface, I can't help but imagine it leading to some serious Minority Report interface action, and that pretty much makes me drool.

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SBI joins Chinese bank to touch 10,000 branches

Public sector State Bank of India on Sunday became only the second bank in the world to have 10,000 branches when Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram inaugurated its latest branch here.

Speaking on the occasion, Chidambaram said China's ICBC Bank was the other bank to have 10,000 branches.

Opening 10,000 branches was a great feat. "It is not an easy milestone though the SBI was the bank of the government and Indian people even before other banks were nationalised," he said.

People all over the world, including the Chinese, would now know about this small village where the 10000th branch of the SBI had been opened, he said adding they would be amazed by the bank's growth.

The bank should be proud of the achievement he said and wished that the bank opened one lakh branches.

"Chairman of the 202-year old bank Omprakash Bhatt was indeed a more powerful man than me because he handled Rs nine lakh crore (business) whereas my budget is only for Rs eight lakh crore," he said.

The Minister said out of the over 100 crore people, seventy 75 per cent did not have any type of insurance. Similarly, 50 per cent of the 11 crore farmers did not have bank account. Banks should go to the people and enroll them as account holders. 'That is what economists say is financial inclusion,' he said.