Apple AR headset to run 'realityOS,' come with App Store

References to a "realityOS" have been found in App Store upload logs, confirming previous rumors of the name and that apps will be available.

As long ago as 2017, Apple was said to be working on what was then called "rOS." Five years on, newly discovered references to a "realityOS" have been found by developers in Apple code.

Developer Steve Troughton-Smith is among many who have spotted the various code references. He concludes that not only is "realityOS" the name, but that it is a separate OS, and that it comes with a simulator for developers.

"#if TARGET_FEATURE_REALITYOS"

Well then. This at least confirms it 1) has its own OS & binaries, and 2) has a realityOS Simulator https://t.co/6a25kWshXR pic.twitter.com/RyF5O5gFjg
— Steve Troughton-Smith (@stroughtonsmith) February 9, 2022

When references to "rOS" were first found, it was expected that Apple could introduce an Apple AR headset by 2020. More recently, late 2022 has been predicted, but even that is likely to slip back as Apple is reportedly finding hardware and software snags.

10 Comments

blastdoor 15 Years · 3594 comments

About 2 years ago

I might be reading too much into it, but “reality” connotes a device aimed at helping people to better access and understand objective reality, NOT a device designed to escape or distort reality. So, more like a pair of prescription bifocals, less like novelty rose colored glasses.

Marvin 18 Years · 15355 comments

blastdoor said:

I might be reading too much into it, but “reality” connotes a device aimed at helping people to better access and understand objective reality, NOT a device designed to escape or distort reality. So, more like a pair of prescription bifocals, less like novelty rose colored glasses.

It seems like it's a reference to the common term across augmented reality, virtual reality and mixed reality. This OS should allow for all of these experiences. Out of context, removing the first terms removes the meaning from the descriptor but people will always see it in context. The word "reality" is most often used these days in reference to AR/VR/MR.

crowley 15 Years · 10431 comments

Marvin said:

The word "reality" is most often used these days in reference to AR/VR/MR.

You think? My money would be on it most often used in reference to, y'know, reality.

Meanwhile, in reality...

venti21 15 Years · 4 comments

I agree with @Marvin, the "reality" in this case is in reference to XR - the catch all term for spatial experiences including augmented, virtual, and mixed reality.

Marvin said:

blastdoor said:

I might be reading too much into it, but “reality” connotes a device aimed at helping people to better access and understand objective reality, NOT a device designed to escape or distort reality. So, more like a pair of prescription bifocals, less like novelty rose colored glasses.

It seems like it's a reference to the common term across augmented reality, virtual reality and mixed reality. This OS should allow for all of these experiences. Out of context, removing the first terms removes the meaning from the descriptor but people will always see it in context. The word "reality" is most often used these days in reference to AR/VR/MR.

Sure, could be. But I can imagine that another company might deliberately make a different choice to emphasize the non-reality aspect, for example 'metaOS'

Emphasizing the 'reality' part seems consistent with Apple's preference for making productive/creative tools, as in 'bicycle for the mind.' Also, check out this story:

https://appleinsider.com/articles/22/01/09/apple-doesnt-want-headset-to-become-an-all-day-device-for-users