Job Listing Points Towards Apple's Continued Interest in Virtual Reality

[MacRumors]

Over the past several years, Apple has expressed an interest in both virtual reality and augmented reality, and has applied for a number of patents related to both technologies. The company has explored a goggle-like video headset that would possibly allow for 3-D viewing, much like the Oculus Rift virtual reality headset, it's looked into a motion-sensing virtual 3D user interface for iOS devices, and it's explored 3-D "hyper-reality" displays.

While many companies are following in the footsteps of Oculus VR and have already introduced virtual reality hardware, there has been little to no hint that the technology mentioned in Apple's numerous patents will ever come to fruition.

Apple's interest in the virtual reality arena does not appear to have waned, however, and it may even be picking up. A new job posting on Apple's site for an "App Engineer" (via 9to5Mac) suggests that the company is continuing to explore virtual and augmented reality, at least on the software side. The job listing seeks a software engineer to help the company "create next generation software experiences" designed to integrate with "Virtual Reality systems."

We are looking for a software engineer to develop UI and applications to create next generation software experiences. The individual must be able to participate in collaborative and iterative UI design through the implementation phases & complete performant user experience code for product delivery. This engineer will create high performance apps that integrate with Virtual Reality systems for prototyping and user testing.

It is not clear, of course, what Apple means by "Virtual Reality systems," which could refer to a full-on hardware experience, an augmented reality app experience, or something else entirely, but augmented reality and virtual reality have become increasingly important areas for development. Headsets like the Oculus Rift are beginning to catch on, and Google has been experimenting with augmented reality, both in its Ingress game for iOS and Android and with "Project Tango," an ambitious experimental smartphone that will provide 3-D mapping capabilities and immersive augmented reality games.

Apple is in possession of technology that's quite similar to what's used in Google's Project Tango, which Apple acquired in 2013 with the purchase of 3-D mapping company PrimeSense. PrimeSense famously developed the original Kinect, and its technology could be used as the backbone for virtual/augmented reality interfaces and games.

Article Link: Job Listing Points Towards Apple's Continued Interest in Virtual Reality

 

[farewelwilliams]

new apple tv confirmed

 

[rdlink]

Why does that guy have a C for an ear?

 

[Anonymous2k]

Apple should fix reality 1st..... before they go virtual

.....................
"Expect Us"

 

[OldSchoolMacGuy]

Every tech company is doing this. And everything else. A simple job posting means nothing. Facebook, Twitter, Google, Amazon and all the other large tech companies are exploring countless technologies. It doesn't mean they'll ever go anywhere.

They also have tens of thousands of patents for things they've never used and likely never will.

 

[T-Will]

Can't wait for this...to flop.

 

[Junipr]

"You see, the real world is incredibly thick, so we created this revolutionary device that makes your reality thinner, and lighter than ever. The unibody aluminium makes this the strongest virtual world ever created as well."

 

[Shayanftw]

Every company explores new technologies

It's nothing unusual but if this is going to be a Google glass thingy please STOP. Glass didn't work out for Google and they're shuttiing the development down. It's too early.

 

[senseless]

A virtual reality headset connected to a treadmill or stationary bike would be a great application.

 

[doug in albq]

"The individual must be able to take participate in collaborative and iterative UI design through the..."

A Macrumors typo or an Apple typo in that job description? The way things have gone lately, would not be surprised if it was Apple's typo.

 

[Anonymous2k]

A virtual reality headset connected to a treadmill or stationary bike would be a great application.

How?

 

[TechGuy1212]

meh, no thanks.

probably one of things i actually do want extremely thin from Apple.

I agree. Would be nice to see something like this from them, but not sure if it is what they should be prioritising their time on.

A lot of software programming would be required to get this to work, where they should be spending that time and effort on developing a better version of iOS that can better compete with Android in areas like more customisable home screens via 'Themes' and NFC APIs.

 

[Cmd-Z]

Their own internal software teams must already use this. "Bugs? What bugs?"

 

[apolloa]

I'm waiting to see what Sony's VR headset ends up like, and it's pricing. But I thought VR was long dead yet apparently not? I remember playing with it years and years and years ago on this big arcade games machine and back then it was promised to be in your homes soon..

Several years later and we are just getting there, wonder if it's got to do with the interest in the Oculus Rift?

 

[iapplelove]

I don't know why I always think of this when virtual reality comes up

 

[movieator]

Not that this isn't something that could happen, you never know, but every tech company has patents in areas with no intention of ever bringing those things to fruition.

But a job listing...?
Hmmmm.

 

[brianvictor7]

Wow. A lot of negativity here today. This should be exciting to folks! If anyone can redefine this tech category, Apple can!

 

[AngerDanger]

Ooh, it also seems to hint at potential employment of Mads Mikkelsen as a device model:

He's going to need to put on a few pounds—specifically in the neck—but I think he's more than capable.

 

[Klae17]

Every tech company is doing this. And everything else. A simple job posting means nothing. Facebook, Twitter, Google, Amazon and all the other large tech companies are exploring countless technologies. It doesn't mean they'll ever go anywhere.

They also have tens of thousands of patents for things they've never used and likely never will.

Thanks Captain Buzzkill. Sorry for getting excited.

 

[jclo]

"The individual must be able to take participate in collaborative and iterative UI design through the..."

A Macrumors typo or an Apple typo in that job description? The way things have gone lately, would not be surprised if it was Apple's typo.

That's not my typo, it's in the actual job description. I'll go fix it on our end. Thanks for pointing it out.

 

[I8P'CS]

Samsung has the VR with the Note 4. Wonder if Apple's will be same just "better and smoother" Could be worse,Who knows.

Samsung beat Apple to this one. Kudos to them.

 

[wxman2003]

Why does that guy have a C for an ear?

C for Cyborg. The Identifier number 802, is the actual cyborg model number. We are all doomed.

 

[JPSaltzman]

802 is early prop type of Google Glass.
800 is humanoid head.
801 is Utah (not shown).

 

[jayducharme]

Apple has so much cash to burn, they're probably experimenting with every whacky concept imaginable just to see if anything practical can be done in the space. I can't imagine Apple releasing something as a gimmick; it would have to tie in to and enhance their ecosystem.

Apple should fix reality 1st..... before they go virtual

But whose reality? Apple's? Or yours?

 

[TsMkLg068426]

I am going to take a chance here and guess this is made by BEATS that is why it looks huger and very hipster looking, I bet the virtual reality only plays Nicki Minaj twerking over and over as a loop. This a good way of wasting money, thanks Apple.