Have you ever put on a Meta Quest headset and experienced Mark Zuckerberg’s virtual world, or are you less interested? It may not be long before you can try Apple’s own “Metaverse” instead.
As Mark Gurman reports for Bloomberg, Apple’s work on its virtual reality/augmented reality (VR/AR) headset is progressing and looking for reinforcements: Despite a partial hiring freeze, the company has posted job postings that focus on details of VR/AR – Let the project close. In one of the vacancies, Apple is looking for someone who can help build a 3D mixed reality world. Gurman concludes that this could be a sign that Apple is working on a virtual environment similar to Zuckerberg’s Metaverse, though Apple probably won’t call it that.
Augmented, Virtual and Mixed Reality
While Apple’s headset is often referred to as a mixed reality device, previous reports have focused on AR functionality, i.e. how to enrich everyday things with digital aspects such as directions. This is the first substantive report that Apple is also working on a virtual world where people can interact.
Another job posting suggests that Apple plans to develop a video service for the headset that “provides 3D content playable in virtual reality.” Two years ago, Apple acquired NextVR, a company that has developed technology for the production and broadcast of VR events, which, along with the new position, gives another glimpse of Apple’s intentions with the headset.
Personal data reveals a lot
Apple hopes its headset can also be a productivity tool. Gurman reports that Apple’s Yaniv Gur has moved from leading the iWork development team to working on the headset. Gurman believes this move is to develop productivity applications for the headset. Gurman also reports that Dave Scott, the former CEO of Hyperfine, is also part of the headset group and could work on healthcare applications.
Apple’s headset could hit the market in 2023 in the $2,000 to $3,000 price range. As previously reported, Apple could use an M2 processor along with ten high-resolution cameras and displays. It will run its own operating system, which could be called realityOS, and Apple has filed patents for “Reality One” and “Reality Pro,” which could eventually become the names for the headset.
This article first appeared on Macworld and has been translated from English