Rumor has it that the Apple VR/AR headset, rumored to be called the Apple Reality Pro, will make its first public appearance at WWDC 2023. While Apple still hasn’t said anything to confirm or deny these rumors, internet sleuths have uncovered another clue suggesting the headset’s launch is imminent.
As spotted by Aaron (opens in new tab) on Twitter and verified by 9to5Mac (opens in new tab), the latest Apple source release contains references to something called “realityOS” alongside established Apple systems like macOS and iOS.
If that name sounds familiar, that’s because realityOS is one of the rumored names for Apple’s bespoke mixed reality operating system.
Nice find by @riscv64 Tons of realityOS references of Apple’s latest OSS stuff on GitHub pic.twitter.com/E3oa7zGTMMMarch 15, 2023
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Other terms mentioned in the code include Reality Simulator and “Wolf,” the supposed codename for the new software.
This isn’t the first time we’ve seen mentions of realityOS in Apple’s official documentation. The term appeared in the update logs of the App Store, a 2021 USPTO trademark, and the new Apple Devices app. However, we had heard rumors that Apple had ditched the name in favor of “xrOS” thanks to reports from Bloomberg.
XR is the abbreviation for “Extended Reality”, a collective term that includes virtual, augmented and mixed reality experiences. A useful term for distinguishing Apple’s operating system from the rest, even if it feels a bit generic and uninspired. XR is also a term used by other companies, such as HTC with its Vive XR Elite headset.
At this point, it’s unclear if realityOS is the name Apple chose. It can simply be a placeholder that will be swapped out for the official name once the headset (and its software) has been officially announced.
Apple VR/AR Headset: What to Expect
(Image credit: Antonio DeRosa)
We’ve heard a lot about the Apple headset so far, although none of this has been confirmed or denied by Apple itself. The rumors suggest it’s a lightweight virtual reality headset with pass-through augmented reality capabilities – similar to those found on the Meta Quest Pro and HTC Vive XR Elite.
It has also been reported that the headset is not tied into the Metaverse concept and is not intended for extended periods of use. In fact, battery life might not last more than a few hours, judging by a report. Instead, Apple is positioning the XR as an entertainment and communication device designed for gaming, calls, and watching videos – all in a short space of time.
However, the chances of doing this with the Reality Pro, as it is sometimes called, are slim. Unless you have $3,000 to spare. It’s long been suspected that the first-gen headset is intended for developers to get to grips with augmented reality ahead of the arrival of Apple Glasses.
Though the AR specs have reportedly been pushed back indefinitely, that plan still makes sense. A cheaper version of the headset is rumored to be arriving sometime in the next few years, and its success will no doubt depend on the software ecosystem. After all, people don’t buy a headset they can’t use.
Rumors suggest that the Apple VR/AR headset will be unveiled at WWDC, which usually starts in the first week of June.
At the moment, rumors are pointing to the Apple VR/AR headset being unveiled at WWDC, which usually starts in the first week of June. While not typically a hardware event, it would be the perfect opportunity for Apple to showcase the headset and accompanying software.
A recent report also claims Apple is pushing to release the headset soon, against the wishes of the design team. So if the headset doesn’t appear at WWDC, it may yet be announced in the near future. So watch this room.
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