Alongside presenting information to the user, a future Apple Vision Pro may scan user health metrics like temperature or heart rate, and alter what is being displayed based on what it can sense.
Apple AR devices such as "Apple Glass," may feature cooling to keep the wearer comfortable, and minutely adjust AR/VR environments to make them seem natural.
A series of patent applications show that Apple is focused on how users can work in an augmented reality or virtual environment, with the company working on practical sides of how to make that space feel more real.
Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg on Wednesday snubbed heads-up display and remote processing technology, systems Apple are rumored to adopt in a first-generation "Apple Glass" product, as inadequate for augmented reality applications.
Facebook on Wednesday announced a research project that will gather data for a pair of AR glasses created in partnership with Luxottica, the makers of Ray-Ban.
Former Apple executive Jean-Louis Gassee says that the first version of "Apple Glass" is much more likely to be a virtual reality headset than an augmented reality wearable.
To bring the ability to track where a wearer's gaze and attention are focused, without requiring costly processing or battery-draining performance, Apple is having to develop a whole new system of eye tracking technology for "Apple Glass."
Future iPhones could use thermal or infrared imaging to supplement regular vision cameras, making it easier to use Apple AR in dark or busy environments.
Vuzix, a firm at the forefront of augmented reality and smart optics technology, has announced plans to debut a stylish set of consumer smart glasses in 2021.
The forthcoming "Apple Glass" will present wearers with new AR views of real or virtual surroundings, and Apple is working on technology so users to can zoom and magnify the images smoothly.
Devices like the rumored Apple Glass or an Apple-designed VR headset may take an entirely wireless approach when used indoors, by using a relay dock to extend the range of communications to multiple users within a room.
The long-rumored Apple Glass could take advantage of data from other units to accurately map an environment, with head-mounted displays capturing data on a scene and sharing it for a better augmented reality experience.
Apple is developing a system to alert users to physical objects when immersed in a virtual reality environment.
Future "Apple Glass," or other such Apple headsets, may be able to replace a background with any image chosen by the wearer.
Apple is researching technology to allow an "Apple Glass" user to not be constrained to fixed physical gestures or touch controls, and instead manipulate any object to alter what is visible on the headset.
Apple's AR headset or "Apple Glass" smart glasses may offer realistic sound effects to go with its digital imagery laid over a real-world view, by accurately reproducing a sound in such a way that it matches where the sound would come from in 3D space.
Apple's fall "iPhone 12" keynote will happen on Sept. 8 and a subsequent iPad Pro and Apple Silicon Mac event will take place Oct. 27, a known leaker claims.
The rumored "Apple Glass" headset may be a single hardware product, but the continuing flood of research looks more like Apple is intending to use AR as a sea change in how we use all of our devices.
Touch screens become impractical when that screen is next to your eye in something like 'Apple Glass,' so Apple is investigating how you could manipulate virtual controls in the real world.
Multiple avenues of research from Apple focuses on the ability of wearable AR devices like the rumored "Apple Glass" to sense what you're looking at, and reconfigure itself to contextually present information a wearer needs.
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William Gallagher
AppleInsider Staff
Mike Peterson
Mikey Campbell
Malcolm Owen
