Filipe Espósito
There have been rumors for a long time that Apple will introduce its own
mixed reality headset that will allow users to interact with immersive apps
combining AR and VR. This new headset is now expected to be announced in the
coming months, and Apple seems to have even more ambitious plans for its new
Reality ecosystem.
Of course, all eyes are now on Apples new AR/VR headset, which will be a
device quite different from any other product the company has ever shipped.
But for a device like this, Apple is seeking to do much more than just put
iOS and an iPhone chip in it. And thats why Apples next big product wont
be the headset itself, but the new Apple Reality platform.
realityOS
The iPhone and iOS have certainly paved the way for other Apple products
such as the Apple Watch, Apple TV, and the HomePod. While all of these
devices run a heavily iOS-based operating system, each has its own APIs to
take advantage of that specific hardware.
Back in 2017, Bloomberg reported that Apple had been developing another
iOS-based operating system known internally as rOS.
This version of iOS would have been created with augmented and virtual
reality in mind, so that it uses existing ARKit capabilities to run AR/VR
apps on new categories of devices. Earlier this year, Bloomberg revealed
that this new system has AR versions of core iPhone apps, as well as new
Apple apps that run in an AR/VR environment.
As the official announcement approaches, references to realityOS have been
found by developers in Apples open-source code. Then, in May of this year,
Apple registered the realityOS trademark in many countries around the
world.
This not only confirms that Apple has been working on this new operating
system but also that the product may have something with Reality in its
name.
The Apple Reality ecosystem
Until recently, realityOS was the only clue we had about the possible name
of Apples new mixed reality headset. However, it was revealed this week
that Apple has applied to register the trademarks Reality One, Reality
Pro, and Reality Processor. With all this in mind, I have some theories
about how Apple will position its new products.
Reality Processor clearly suggests that the headset (and possibly other
upcoming AR/VR products from Apple) will have its own family of Apple
Silicon chips. Just as iPhones have A-series chips, Macs have M-series
chips, and Apple Watch models have S-series chips, Apples AR/VR devices
might have R-series chips.
Apple's next big product is not just a headset, but an entire 'Reality'
ecosystem Certainly, Apple could simply throw an A-series or M-series chip
into its new headset after all, all Apple chips have a lot in common but
a new product category like this seems to need chips made exclusively for
it. Were talking about devices that are expected to run 8K, AR/VR content
while relying on battery power. Not only that, but marketing means a lot in
this case.
Thats where Reality One comes in. To me, it seems that Reality One
could easily be R1, Apples first Reality Processor. But what about the
name of the headset?
Apple Reality devices
Well, that one I think will be Reality Pro, or Apple Reality Pro. Here,
the name Pro may corroborate that this is a niche product rather than
something for the masses. Rumors suggest that Apples first mixed reality
headset may cost up to $3,000.
If we consider previous reports by analysts Jeff Pu and Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple
has already been working on a second generation of its headset, as well as a
more affordable model of the product.
Rumors also suggest that Apple is working on AR glasses. These glasses might
be part of the Apple Reality ecosystem as well, running realityOS with a
Reality Processor.
Apple's next big product is not just a headset, but an entire 'Reality'
ecosystem Apple Reality wont be just a single product, but an entire
ecosystem based on augmented and virtual reality. Apple seems to really
believe that AR/VR is the future, as the company has been investing a lot in
this area in recent years. Now, it seems that were finally getting close to
seeing all this effort becoming a bigger thing.
It remains unclear, however, when exactly Apple will unveil its new Reality
ecosystem. Some believe the headset will be introduced in the first half of
2023, but others expect to see at least a teaser of the new platform by the
end of this year.
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