A first AR headset from Apple may launch in late 2022 or early 2023, but when it does arrive, it will be compatible with iOS. Now, while none of the new features work, or apparently aren’t even enabled, there are already signs of such support in the latest beta.

According to consultant and developer Maximiliano Firtman, there are four of what he describes as “experiments”.

• WebXR augmented reality mode (disabled)
• WebXR Device API (disabled)
• WebXR Gamepads module (disabled)
• WebXR manual input module (disabled)

“The use case for this API on iPhone and iPad is not yet evident, as it works with external devices,” Firtman writes, “and to my knowledge, no VR or AR devices are supported on iOS or iPadOS as of today.” “.

My best guess,” he continues, “is that this is setting the stage for the next Apple headset or glasses.”

They all use Apple’s implementation of WebXR. This is an API to interact with AR and VR devices.

While Firtman doesn’t have any further details on these AR/VR features, he also reports that iOS 15.4 beta includes web push notifications on iOS.

“You read that right,” says Firtman. “For years, the most requested feature may finally come to iOS and iPadOS: Web Push and Web Notifications.”

Therefore, it is outside and beyond the ability of iOS apps to send notifications. Currently, iOS Safari does not have the ability to send users push notifications, and the addition will enable it as it exists in macOS for the first time.

However, the two new APIs, “Embedded Web Notifications” and “Push API”, are disabled by default in the current beta version.

Apple’s iOS 15.4 beta most prominently features the first version of Universal Control. This long-awaited feature will allow Mac and iPad users to control both devices simultaneously.