Apple, fresh off the introduction of the iPad, might have something new in store for music shoppers. According to Patently Apple, the maker of the iPhone has won a patent for a 3D virtual Apple store. While some might think that this is merely a gimmick to get more traffic into the iTunes music store, I think that it has huge potential.

If you have an iPhone and surfed the apps, you know what an unwieldy jungle that can be. I remember the “early days” when I would literally look at every app that had been released to decide if I wanted to try it out. Of course, with hundreds of thousands of apps, that is impossible today.

Enter the 3D world. Now, you are able to interact with people who potentially share your interests. You are able to discuss apps and help each other explore. Of course, it also opens the door for virtual salespeople that could be a real pain.

For those of you who tried Second Life, you know that interacting in a 3D environment has many advantages over shopping in a 2D browser. Of course, however, Second Life is like yesterday’s bread – stale. Can Apple make it work? If anyone can…

That’s my Altyrian View.

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