It’s not entirely clear when Apple’s AR/VR headset will debut. But based on a new report, we have a better idea of what Apple plans to call the software that powers the headset.
Mark Gorman Bloomberg (Opens in a new tab) Reports indicate that Apple has changed the name of its virtual reality operating system to xrOS. The new name replaces the reality that appeared as a possible name earlier this year when a trademark for that moniker surfaced.
Gurman’s report, which cites “people familiar with the matter,” reveals more than just an internal debate at Apple about what to call the software that will ship with its headphones. It seems to confirm the feature set of the headset itself.
It is believed that Apple’s initial entry into the virtual space is a headset that will support both virtual reality and augmented reality. The former describes more immersive experiences that place you in a virtual world while the latter superimposes graphics and information on the real world in front of you. This approach is often referred to as mixed reality, or XR for short — hence, Apple’s apparent adoption of the xrOS name.
By embracing mixed reality, a headset made by Apple could allow users to check mail, see notifications float in front of them and get directions superimposed in their line of sight without interrupting the rest of the world. The headset can also double as a place for more immersive apps as well, though Apple doesn’t focus on gaming the way the Meta does with some of its VR headsets.
Gurman describes the move to the xrOS name as another sign that Apple is heading towards a release date for its long-rumored headset. Rumors point to the headset for a 2023 release, though it’s unclear if that will be earlier in the year.
Apple’s spring launch events tend to introduce new Macs and iPads, although they’ve sometimes been known to release a new iPhone SE model in the first few months of the new year. Still, a product like Apple’s headset might seem like a better option for Apple’s annual developer conference, especially if Apple wants to get xrOS into the hands of app makers to create software that supports the new device.
This is just speculation on our part, but we could easily see the Apple VR/AR headset and its accompanying xrOS software getting a preview at the Worldwide Developers Conference, which traditionally takes place in June. The full launch will happen later in the year. This is the pattern Apple has used when it has entered new product categories in the past, such as the debut of the iPhone in 2010 and the launch of the Apple Watch in 2015.
xrOS will support more than just an Apple headset. The company is also said to be working on Apple Glass smart glasses, although this is not expected until 2024 at the earliest.
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