iWork package may support Virtual Ruler in the future

Keeping virtual drawing tools practical and simple to increase efficiency is a great challenge.

In May this year, Microsoft released the Virtual Ruler for their Surface tablet. And we can guess from the patent that Apple recently obtained that they might want to give iPhone and iPad a similar tool.

This patent named “Provide virtual drawing assistant, interactive devices, means and GUI (graphic user interface).” So it should be the Virtual Ruler.

Currently virtual design and drawing applications are being widely used by various industries and individuals. Some programs even support free-hand drawing, meaning except for choosing colors and characters, users get to do the drawing by using physical tools on those programs. It isn’t quite convenient to practice yet, so Apple wants to add virtual drawing assistance to their apps. But keeping such tools practical and simple to increase efficiency is still a great challenge.

In the patent document Apple introduced that for better interaction between users and the tools, they will offer faster, more efficient ways and interfaces for their devices. This will improve or even replace the traditional means, at the same time reduce users’ burden.

Apple has applied for this patent during the third quarter last year, which will probably appear in the iWork package.