Apple patents 3D app icons that light up when you play media
Apple describes a system where app icons in a 3D space change appearance when you start playing music or video. The filing explains how these icons can show animated lighting effects that match the content you are watching or listening to.
In the filing’s own words
In some embodiments, a computer system generates virtual lighting effects while presenting a content item. In some embodiments, a computer system generates an animated three-dimensional object while presenting a content item. In some embodiments, a computer system displays a condensed user interface in place of an expanded user interface in response to different inputs.
What exactly they claim (claim 1)
1. A method comprising: at a computer system in communication with a display generation component and one or more input devices: displaying, via the display generation component, a user interface of an application in a three-dimensional environment, wherein the user interface is associated with playback of respective content, the respective content is not currently playing, and the user interface is not displayed with a respective simulated lighting effect in the three-dimensional environment; and while displaying the user interface of the application in the three-dimensional environment and while the respective content is not currently playing and the user interface of the application is not displayed with the respective simulated lighting effect, receiving, via the one or more input devices, a first input corresponding to a request to initiate playback of the respective content; and in response to receiving the first input: initiating, in the three-dimensional environment, the playback of the respective content; and displaying, in the three-dimensional environment, the user interface with the respective simulated lighting effect, wherein one or more characteristics of the respective simulated lighting effect are based on the playback of the respective content.
Facts
- Company
- Apple (Apple Inc.)
- Official title
- DEVICES, METHODS, AND GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACES FOR CONTENT APPLICATIONS
- Publication number
- US20260301350A1
- Application number
- 19707038
- Filed
- Jun 12, 2026
- Published
- Oct 1, 2026
- Inventors
- 8
- Claims
- 15
Classified under
G06T 19/20 Physics & computingG06T 19/006 Physics & computingG06T 2219/2004 Physics & computingG06T 2219/2016 Physics & computingMore from Apple in AR, VR & displays
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Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.