Source: news.google.com
Every few years, an Apple product that is not confirmed by the company generates rumors and speculation until it is impossible to avoid it.
The iPad had it when it was rumored to be called the iSlate back in 2009, while the Apple Watch was thought to be a next-gen iPod nano around 2013. The Apple headset that will introduce VR and AR to its customers is the latest in these rumors. of what could be the next release from Apple.
Virtual and augmented reality have seen huge improvements in recent years, with companies like Oculus and Valve refining the experience and offering storefronts where you can play a variety of VR games.
But Apple has an opportunity to redesign its ecosystem to accommodate virtual reality and augmented reality in exciting ways that haven’t been tried before.
A virtual reality iTrooper
It’s unclear if this rumored headset will feature AR or VR capabilities, or if there are two headsets that will fit each. But Apple has a way of adapting its apps to other devices without compromising features, while also making them unique to the device in question.
Since many operating systems end in ‘OS’, we suspect that rOS, to represent reality, could be a good candidate for the software the headset will run on, as it works for both VR and AR.
In years past, Apple lays the groundwork for what’s to come, like the iPhone for the iPad, or 3D Touch appearing on the Apple Watch and then seeing it debut on the iPhone. With this in mind, Siri could be a great clue as to what she’s planning for the headset.
Earlier this month, an Apple Music voice plan was launched, where you can control your music with just Siri for $4.99 / £4.99 / AU$4.99 a month.
This plan could be a great option for headphones, since you don’t need to use anything tangible to navigate your music, just through Siri. Browsing the App Store or choosing another app to use via Siri could be an intuitive way to use the headphones without having to use any controllers, similar to Meta Quest 2.
Spatial Audio, a feature in Apple Music again where you can turn your head and the sound will feel like it’s coming from a specific place, could also work well for headphones.
But when it comes to gaming, this is where controllers would be a must and an inspiration for developers.
A virtual reality app store
Apps in VR are only starting to drift away from providing short-lived experiences like Beat Saber, to communication and accessibility, like what META is announcing for the metaverse and avatars. Seeing FaceTime VR or AppleTV+ VR is a tempting thought, but developers could transform the apps they already have available into a native VR headset app.
Apps like CARROT and TikTok could benefit from what headphones can offer, especially if widgets also make their debut.
What about the AR?
Then there’s the AR aspect. Augmented Reality allows you to have certain bits of digital information in a normal lens. Imagine a pair of glasses that has a section of the lens where it displays live information, like a widget or push notifications.
This is something we’re already seeing in some apps, especially the Measure app. Others, like IKEA, may allow you to place furniture in the iPhone camera viewfinder, to see if it fits your room.
There is no reason why this headset can have both when switching between modes. Seeing live widgets in a corner of a lens as you walk around your house is a tempting prospect, saving you from checking your phone from your pocket or looking at your Apple Watch.
WWDC in 2022 could show what developers can do with headphones, and with Apple’s Silicon chips showing how much power they can achieve with much lower power consumption than an Intel and AMD CPU, we could see first-gen headphones count. with impressive battery life for an app store that could show what AR and VR could do in the Apple ecosystem.
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