Apple's Work on realityOS 'Wrapping Up' as Focus Turns to Suite of AR/VR Apps Ahead of Headset Launch

[MacRumors]

Apple's work on the first version of its long-rumored mixed reality headset's operating system is concluding, while new hires related to the device are ramping up ahead of launch next year, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

Concept render based on purported leaked information by Ian Zelbo​

The headset itself is rumored to run "rOS" or "realityOS," internally codenamed "Oak." Apple's work on realityOS has been rumored since 2017, but the existence of the operating system was finally confirmed earlier this year when references to it were found in App Store upload logs and Apple open source code.

In his latest "Power On" newsletter, Gurman said that realityOS "will include mixed-reality versions of core Apple apps like Messages, FaceTime and Maps." The first version of the operating system is reportedly "wrapping up internally and should be ready for the new hardware next year." Gurman previously said that Apple's mixed-reality headset will focus on gaming, media consumption, and communication. He believes that Memojis and SharePlay could be central to the experience.

Gurman added that job listings indicate that Apple is now ramping up hiring related to the device. The company is seeking a software producer with experience in visual effects and game asset pipelines to create content for AR and VR environments, developers that can "build tools and frameworks to enable connected experiences in a 3D mixed-reality world," and engineers who can work on development tools including App Intents, which let apps work with features like Siri and Shortcuts. The job listings also suggest that Apple is planning to build a video service for the headset, featuring 3D content that can be played in virtual reality.

In addition to a wave of new hires, Apple has reportedly also made additions to the management team overseeing the headset's development, bringing in a former senior leader from its self-driving vehicle project and one of its most senior software engineering managers. The nature of the new positions suggest a range of health and productivity apps could be coming to the headset.

DigiTimes believes that Apple's headset will begin mass production in March next year and analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has suggested that it could be introduced to the public as soon as January.

Article Link: Apple's Work on realityOS 'Wrapping Up' as Focus Turns to Suite of AR/VR Apps Ahead of Headset Launch

 

[RedTheReader]

I can’t wait until this thing comes out and turns out to be as much of a failure as every other AR/VR headset so that we can finally stop talking about it.

 

[Marbles1]

What demographic is the main market for this?

Folks that have the cash to pay for a premium AR/VR headset and are investing in 'gaming' - and specifically Apple gaming (is that even a thing?).

And those who are interested in 'Maps'. I mean ffs. What's the point of this? To have a FaceTime call?

I think this is going to one of those pieces of tech that needs to be way more advanced a form factor before it gets broad appeal.

You need something that is as light as a pair of glasses to begin with. And that's a basic model.

You need to miniaturise the tech so they work inside contact lenses; it should feel unobtrusive.

The niche of people that like this stuff tolerate headsets if the games are outstanding and immersive. Apple have done nothing on games for decades other than fail time and again.

 

[Alex Cai]

The release date must be wwdc

 

[RedTheReader]

What's the point of this? To have a FaceTime call?

Yes. The answer to the question is yes.

 

[citysnaps]

I can’t wait until this thing comes out and turns out to be as much of a failure as every other AR/VR headset so that we can finally stop talking about it.

We?

Or... you could simply ignore what other people find interesting and want to discuss.

You're not required to participate in any discussion.

 

[ipedro]

Still not convinced this will be a VR headset. Everything Apple has been doing has been the complete opposite of isolation. On the contrary, they’ve been building towards connecting people back into the real world where technology doesn’t sink you in and instead adds to your experiences in the real world. See: Apple Watch.

Augmented Reality is perfectly aligned with this. I don’t see any benefit to going backwards into VR on the road to AR. I believe Apple will jump straight to AR first.

 

[Billy_Bob]

"work with features like Siri"

If the new goggles will be controlled by Siri, they could turn out to be dangerous at best or embarrassing at worst. Not a good sign for their success.

 

[pplfn]

The release date must be wwdc

I think that too, should be like de Apple Silicon announcement as this requires also a lot of help from the development communities around the world to work.

What analogy could be used for Rosetta 2 in rOS? That was one of the main pillars for Apple Silicon transition, could there be something like Rosetta to allow all existing software to work inside rOS that makes us want to use it in rOS instead of another OS?

 

[Andronicus]

I can’t wait until this thing comes out and turns out to be as much of a failure as every other AR/VR headset so that we can finally stop talking about it.

I can’t wait to revisit this post in 10 years when it’s a major success.

It’s like going back to those posts when the first iPod was released and everyone was saying the same thing as you.

It gives me a little giggle.

 

[gcmexico]

will we be looking back at these comments in a few years, demonstrating again that that most people don't have a clue on what will be successful! LMAO...I for one am looking forward to it, I have the quest2, but will not drop 1500 for a vr headset, where I can't have my full Apple ecosystem...if Apple's VR does what the rumors are saying...Apple does have my attention, full emergence, access to all my Apple movies and shows, be able to use FaceTime, imessage...all running smoothly, yeah I'll pay 1500 for that, for sure👍 I truly hope they release something AMAZING

 

[LeadingHeat]

I can’t wait to revisit this post in 10 years when it’s a major success.

It’s like going back to those posts when the first iPod was released and everyone was saying the same thing as you.

It gives me a little giggle.

Or the iPad. Or the Apple Watch. Haha

 

[FightTheFuture]

I can’t wait until this thing comes out and turns out to be as much of a failure as every other AR/VR headset so that we can finally stop talking about it.

Computing has to move beyond screens and keyboards. I don’t know if this is it, but we won’t be carrying around laptops forever.

 

[DocMultimedia]

I still see no really reason for this, other than a few gamers that might want it. That would be a disaster like the Metaverse. Bob's Burgers sort of nailed it last night: overly expensive and nothing of interest as far as software.

 

[iOS Geek]

Still not convinced this will be a VR headset. Everything Apple has been doing has been the complete opposite of isolation. On the contrary, they’ve been building towards connecting people back into the real world where technology doesn’t sink you in and instead adds to your experiences in the real world. See: Apple Watch.

Augmented Reality is perfectly aligned with this. I don’t see any benefit to going backwards into VR on the road to AR. I believe Apple will jump straight to AR first.

Agreed. My geek side says VR is cool. But…in terms of usefulness, I’d say AR is more worth the time, money, and effort. Obviously what I want doesn’t matter, but if I were to say which I’d rather have…it would be AR hands down

 

[Abazigal]

I can’t wait until this thing comes out and turns out to be as much of a failure as every other AR/VR headset so that we can finally stop talking about it.

People bet against Apple to their own detriment.

 

[RedTheReader]

I can’t wait to revisit this post in 10 years when it’s a major success.

It’s like going back to those posts when the first iPod was released and everyone was saying the same thing as you.

It gives me a little giggle.

Do we really have to wait 10 years? If it was that big of a success, wouldn’t a few months suffice like it did for the iPhone and the iPad and the iPod? Unless you mean it’ll be an Apple Watch type success meaning it’ll take years to gradually amp up, but no one really considers the Apple Watch on par with those other products, do they?

If not, I feel like this could become like the guy who said back in 2020 that within two years, most gaming capable machines sold would be Apple MacBooks, and then later emphasized that he didn’t mean people would actually game on them, but that they would simply be capable of doing it hypothetically.

 

[antiprotest]

Computing has to move beyond screens and keyboards. I don’t know if this is it, but we won’t be carrying around laptops forever.

Cybernetic implants. Patched into the brain and optic and auditory nerves. Make calls and documents, take pictures, text, play games, all without an external device. Powered by energy generated by the body without a battery.

 

[RedTheReader]

Computing has to move beyond screens and keyboards. I don’t know if this is it, but we won’t be carrying around laptops forever.

The poster above me eloquently explains why this isn’t true.

 

[Eldaerenth Faexidor]

I am genuinely curious about this novel device. Let’s see what they’ve created for us.

 

[crsh1976]

I can’t wait to revisit this post in 10 years when it’s a major success.

It’s like going back to those posts when the first iPod was released and everyone was saying the same thing as you.

It gives me a little giggle.

It will depend a lot on the use cases Apple will push for this sort of product, given all non-gaming avenues have so far been huge failures because nobody cares or nobody sees any value in strapping on goggles to see cartoony avatars mimic the person you are having a conversation with (as an example).

 

[Eriamjh1138@DAN]

I’d love to see holographic displays like Darth Vader talking to the Emperor or virtual people via AR sitting in the same room like a council meeting of the Jedi, everyone in their chairs.

Fun for a few minutes, but a game changer?
It needs to not be gimmicky. It needs to add to an experience. If it takes FaceTime calls to a new level it might be a hit but not if it’s $2000.

Impress me, Apple. Don’t disappoint. I do not want to am disappoint.

 

[Ashbash75]

Will it allow me to see Siri and slap her?

 

[mukiex]

I can’t wait to revisit this post in 10 years when it’s a major success.

It’s like going back to those posts when the first iPod was released and everyone was saying the same thing as you.

It gives me a little giggle.

My Apple product purchases have pretty much all happened under Tim Cook (my very first one was an iPhone 4S) so I never really fell into Jobs' sphere of influence (was and still am a PC gamer that builds his own), but I'm 50/50 on this one.

On the one hand, given the rumors and price, this could literally be a Macbook Air in an AR headset. That "triple screen" experience everyone likes to show off (examples being nReal 'n Oculus) could just be an innate feature. On the flipside, Meta, Valve and Sony have snatched up what little burgeoning gaming market has propped up VR to this day.

Apple has an uphill climb on their hands.

 

[contacos]

I am too old for this crap or my expectations are too high. The only thing that would impress me is if I could step into a real 3D state of the art looking Hawaii for example, not that Sims kind of Nintendo Wii graphics with flooding body parts kind of Hawaii