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Apple Devices Preview App for Windows Includes References to 'Reality OS' and 'xrOS'

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A short time ago, preview versions of Apple Music, Apple TV, and Apple Devices apps for Windows were discovered in the Microsoft Store, and it turns out one of those apps is hiding references to Apple's upcoming mixed-reality headset operating system.

apple-ar-headset-concept-2.jpeg
Concept render by Ian Zelbo based on purported leaked information​

The Apple Devices app is intended to allow users to manage various Apple devices on Windows machines, functionality that was traditionally handled in iTunes but which has migrated to Finder on macOS. Windows users continue to use iTunes to manage Apple devices if needed, but with Apple working on standalone apps like Apple Music for Windows, it appears iTunes for Windows is nearing the end of its life and a replacement for device management functions is needed.

Upon investigating the new Apple Devices Preview app for Windows, Twitter user @aaronp613 discovered references to both "Reality OS" and "xrOS," two names that have appeared in repeated rumors as being in reference to Apple's upcoming mixed-reality headset.


Bloomberg's Mark Gurman had reported for quite some time that Apple was planning to call its headset platform "realityOS" or "rOS," but last month he revealed that Apple has updated its plans and will call the platform "xrOS". The name refers to "extended reality" to encompass both virtual reality and augmented reality experiences.

Over the weekend, Gurman reported that while Apple had been aiming to introduce the headset this month, the company is now planning for an introduction around its traditional spring media event time. A more complete introduction for developers will then come at WWDC in June ahead of the actual product launch later in the year.

With that introduction time frame rapidly approaching, it's no surprise that Apple is preparing its other apps and platforms to integrate with the headset and xrOS, but the references in the new Apple Devices Preview app for Windows are likely an accidental slip-up by Apple.

Article Link: Apple Devices Preview App for Windows Includes References to 'Reality OS' and 'xrOS'
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2023/01/11/realityos-xros-references-apple-devices-windows/
SkippyThorson said:
The first new category of technology where I feel myself aging out of the field. I’m just plain ol’ disinterested in AR/VR.

But I will like seeing how silly people look with tech strapped to their faces. 😛


Bane.The-Dark-Knight.webp
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Have you tried it? You really, really should if you haven't, regardless of what you think about the way people look with it on.
 
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Ready whenever they are.

Haven't been as curious about a pending new Apple product launch since that '07 iPhone. In the lead up to the iPhone debut, I was already saving up for what I knew would be a day-one purchase. And on day one, I was one of those in line at Aspen Grove. I simply could not get out of my Palm Treo (the closest thing to a Mac-friendly smart phone, back then) fast enough. And not that whatever headset they announce will be an insta-buy for me (especially at the rumored $3k price tag - which I still think is more fluff to soften the launch-day $2299 price tag), I am super curious to learn what they have up their sleeve for this category. The forum climate here feels eerily similar to the lead up to that '07 iPhone - a LOT of users struggling with the concept. Not unlike the pre-launch struggle with an Apple phone. And it was interesting how quickly that phone struggle evaporated. not that a headset struggle would evaporate as quickly, but I do think we're in for a device that will make more sense than we thought. I could be wrong.

We. Shall. See.
 
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SkippyThorson said:
The first new category of technology where I feel myself aging out of the field. I’m just plain ol’ disinterested in AR/VR.

But I will like seeing how silly people look with tech strapped to their faces. 😛


Bane.The-Dark-Knight.webp
Click to expand...
I don’t think it will be what you’re imagining. I think you might be surprised. Or maybe I will be surprised and it will be exactly what you’re imagining.
 
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I can care less, I see many use cases for biz users (eg distance learning, remote troubleshooting and such) but Apple is a consumer goods company and besides gaming (where Apple is super strong /s) and porn I do not see how an average consumer will spend double to triple the cost of their iPhone for this stuff, yes, you geeks out there will of course but I am still looking for the day-to-day consumer use case that makes me spend that money… and no, iPhone and AW do NOT compare …

Anyway, introduction of this is a moving target…
 
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jz0309 said:
I can care less, I see many use cases for biz users (eg distance learning, remote troubleshooting and such) but Apple is a consumer goods company and besides gaming (where Apple is super strong /s) and porn I do not see how an average consumer will spend double to triple the cost of their iPhone for this stuff, yes, you geeks out there will of course but I am still looking for the day-to-day consumer use case that makes me spend that money… and no, iPhone and AW do NOT compare …

Anyway, introduction of this is a moving target…
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I would like this product to finally be introduced so I can possibly purchase the 2nd or 3rd gen of it. I was not taken by AW.
 
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SumYoungGai said:
right in time for consumer spending to decrease with the recession
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As far as upgrades, depending on the cost of a iPhone 15 Pro Max and the changes to the design, I might actually settle for a refurb iPhone 14 Pro Max. A lot this stuff from Apple is very light on life changing.
 
fs454 said:
Have you tried it? You really, really should if you haven't, regardless of what you think about the way people look with it on.
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Eh, is it available?
I have tried original oculus and a couple other, for gamers, I can see it but for consumer level day-to-day? No, don’t see it
 
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TheDailyApple said:
You might not be interested currently, but Apple has the tendency to define the market for new/unpopular technologies. Just look at iPhone and iPod.
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As mentioned by @jz0309 (Consumer level day-to-day) I don't see any potential. Apple may have to look into the "Return Policy" with the Apple AR/VR headset. I'm sure there are going to be plenty of returns.
 
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jz0309 said:
Eh, is it available?
I have tried original oculus and a couple other, for gamers, I can see it but for consumer level day-to-day? No, don’t see it
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So meta had it’s implementation of AR/VR with oculus and you paint the category with the same brush. I can just imagine this thought process with the first GUI based OS.
 
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Mr. Dee said:
Touch screen Macs, AR headset, M2 Ultra Mac Pro, Titanium iPhone 15, OLED MacBooks. Tim is going after our coins!
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code-m said:
Well you are in control of your wallet and desires 😝
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Mr. Tim cook is not happy with @Mr. Dee. Currently, he's still managed to rock iPhone X as his daily driver. Of course, Mr. Cook is coming after our hard-earned taxed American dollars. 💵
 
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