Apple has been talking a lot about augmented reality. Last year we met, for the first time, rumors about an augmented reality project of the company. A few months ago they launched ARKit, which allows developers to create AR applications for iOS devices. Apple also launched on their iPhone X some features with this technology. But this is just the beginning, says Bloomberg.
The media reported that Apple would be developing an AR Headset that will be ready in 2019 and will go on sale in 2020. The company supposedly wants to create a device that is as significant as when the iPhone was launched in 2007.
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Apple would not be interested in creating an AR device like those currently on the market, using a smartphone as a screen and processor. This headset would include everything, it would have its own screen and a chip designed by Apple.
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The new equipment would have a new operating system called ‘rOS’ (reality operating system). It is possible, according to the report, that users can download and install apps from an AR app store, just like the other Apple devices. We don’t know so far what are the mechanisms of execution and interaction of these apps, as they could be implemented either with gestures (hands), with the head (tilting) or through Siri, for example.
The division of Apple that would be developing this headset is supposedly a group of hundreds of engineers of the company, in offices in Cupertino and in Sunnyvale, California. This team would be developing several hardware and software projects under a code name: T288.
Apple sees a great future in augmented reality
Since Apple does not yet have its own headset, the media says that the AR team is using other devices to develop and test the functions of their device. Some anonymous sources told the media that the developers are wearing HTC Vive headsets.
This augmented reality project is not a surprise for the public, says the media, because for years we know that the company is working on initiatives with this technology. However, in July of this year, Tim Cook said in his earnings publication that Apple’s interest in the AR is still delayed and that his plans are long-term. According to Cook, the AR will forever change the way we use technology.
Although the headset will be ready in 2020 (minimum), Apple wants to make it easy for developers to create AR functions for the iPhone sooner. For that, the company plans to launch a new version of their ARKit tools in 2018.
