New ways to control devices that do not involve physical contact have been revealed in recently-released patent filings.
Microsoft described waving one's hands to "draw" three-dimensional objects on a device.
Apple, on the other hand, has created a design that allows users to "throw" content from one device to another.
Reflecting on the desire of technology firms to secure touchless patent rights, Chris Green, a technology analyst at Davies Murphy Group, said: "It's interesting that so many companies are actually investing some very serious time and money into it."
He added: "But the jury is still out on whether this whole waving-your-hands-in-the-air will have a long term future outside computer games, and it's still very much a work in progress."
The US Patent and Trademark Office has made the patent applications public.
Posted by Simon Jones
