Technology
Inside Apple’s top-secret VR headset ‘that will replace iPhone’ coming this year
APPLE’S long-rumoured super-secret VR project may have been let out of the bag.
Speculation about a mixed reality headset have been rife for sometime but a small nugget of information found by nerds suggests it could be the real deal.
@stroughtonsmithDeveloper finds mention of realityOS in Apple code[/caption]
Well-known developer Steve Troughton-Smith tweeted a screenshot of some very revealing Apple code.
In it, it mentions something called realityOS.
“Well then,” he tweeted.
“This at least confirms it 1) has its own OS & binaries, and 2) has a realityOS Simulator.”
This all comes as interest in the metaverse heats up – though rumour has it Apple doesn’t want to be part of it.
Rivals like Google, Microsoft, Samsung and Facebook have all released products in the sector.
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But Apple has played its cards close to its chest, only bundling AR and VR features into the iPhone.
It’s previously been reported that Apple’s move could be more like AR glasses that will work largely as a display – with most of the computing taking place on your iPhone.
Importantly, you’ll still need an iPhone for this reason.
But the idea behind the glasses would be to replace many of the functions your iPhone would normally perform.
Beyond 2040, Apple is expected to launch smart contact lenses that offer similar functionality to the glasses – but with an even more subtle design.
As ever, Apple has remained quiet about new products its developing.
So we’ll have to wait for an official announcement from boss Tim Cook before getting too excited.
Virtual Reality v.s. Augmented Reality – what’s the difference?
Here’s what you need to know
Virtual reality involves using a headset to simulate a virtual world
In the metaverse world, everything you see will be computer-generated
Popular VR headsets include the HTC Vive and Facebook’s Oculus Rift
Augmented reality lets you see the real world, but “augments” (or adds on) computer-generated elements
This means you’ll be able to see computer images overlaid onto your real-world view
For instance, you could wear glasses that overlay directions onto the road in front of you
Popular AR headsets include Microsoft’s HoloLens and the Google Glass spectacles
In other news, Apple has revealed a bunch of new emoji for iPhone, including a pregnant man and two saucy symbols.
Experts have warned that future space launches could be jeopardised if “stupid” regimes like Russia don’t stop blasting the skies creating debris.
And the most popular phone since the millennium has been unveiled, with many shocked to find out it’s not an iPhone.
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