mixed reality software

According to rumors, Apple has renamed its mixed-reality operating system from “reality” to “xrOS” indicating that it may soon be introducing an AR/VR headset.

Apple company is intensifying work on a mixed-reality AR-VR headset, its first significant new product line since the Apple Watch. Bloomberg reported that a shell company named Deep Dive LLC had been registering the xrOS trademark across numerous nations.

This company is anticipated to be connected to Apple. Apple’s rumored “reality,” the operating system for their specific AR and VR platform, may now go by the name “xrOS.” Apple may sell its hybrid AR/VR headset by next year, claims Mark Gurman of Bloomberg. Apple is reported to be developing a VR or AR headset, and that gear requires its very own operating system to function.

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The new OS name makes reference to the mixed-reality features of the headset. The extended reality, also known as “XR,” is a concept that includes both virtual and augmented reality. While virtual reality is an immersive experience for games and watching videos, augmented reality adds visuals and virtual info to the real environment.

According to a 2017 report, Apple’s headset would include its own processor and display in addition to having a separate operating system. At the time, the software was known as “rOS.” At least three AR and VR headsets are reportedly in the works at Apple. The “Apple Reality Pro,” a designation for the headset that appeared in trademark applications in late August, is claimed to be the N301.

With a probable release in 2023, the headset is anticipated to be a mixed-reality competitor to the Meta Quest Pro. It appears that the N602 will be the second-generation model, with two variations available to customers. One will offer improvements over the previous model, whereas another will be a less expensive substitute. The third, the N421, is said to resemble Apple Glass smart glasses more than a headset.

Apple’s foray into the market puts it in a fight with Meta Platforms which is relying less on Apple products and is counting on the metaverse. The action is also a component of Apple’s ongoing search for its “next big thing.” With the launch of the Apple Watch in 2015, the corporation transformed its wearables operation into a segment that now contributes $41.2 billion to its annual revenue or over 10% of all sales.

Apple’s initial headset launch might feature a set of 4K OLED displays, 15 camera modules strewn about the outside, and probable functionality for eye tracking and hand gestures. It is currently estimated to be in an “advanced” state of development.

The initial wave might potentially include costly headgear, with suggested prices as high as $3,000. The headset is meant to be worn for communication, viewing content, and playing video games. Apple is allegedly developing native mixed reality-compatible versions of popular apps like Messages and Maps.

Tim Cook, the CEO of Apple, has made a point of expressing his passion for augmented reality over recent years, and the corporation has developed a framework called ARKit that enables iPads and iPhones to run AR applications.