How Apple dodged the flop of Android's headset VR

Between 2014 and 2019, Google and its Android licensees promoted various smartphone-based virtual reality systems. At the same time, Apple remained conspicuously absent from the smartphone VR headset race, which in hindsight appears prescient. Here's a look at why.

Daniel Eran Dilger 6 years ago 18

Apple acquires virtual reality video streaming startup NextVR

Apple on Thursday confirmed that it has acquired NextVR, a California startup that produces virtual reality live events content.

Mike Peterson 6 years ago 13

Valve abandons the macOS version of SteamVR

Valve has announced that SteamVR will no longer support macOS, although older frameworks are still available in beta form.

William Gallagher 6 years ago 78

Apple eyes video service NextVR for possible $100M acquisition

Apple is looking to expand its augmented reality and virtual reality teams and patent hoard even more, with a rumored acquisition of California VR firm NextVR on the cards that may be worth $100 million.

Malcolm Owen 6 years ago 8

Apple researching trackpad & gesture combo for controlling AR

Rather than attempting to manipulate AR objects through gloves or a game controller, a peripheral like a trackpad could allow users to select and manipulate what they see in front of them.

William Gallagher 6 years ago 0

Facebook beats out Apple with exclusive AR glasses display buy

Facebook has forged a big deal with an AR display manufacturer to build a future augmented reality glasses platform with Plessey, a company that was once a rumored target of an Apple buyout.

Mike Wuerthele 6 years ago 19

Only 'iPhone 12 Pro' models expected have time-of-flight sensor

Code found in an iOS 14 leak indicates two of the three upcoming "iPhone 12" models will have a time-of-flight sensor, suggesting the non-pro model will not.

Wesley Hilliard 6 years ago 1

Apple's AR headset may recharge wirelessly & use ultrasonic position location

Apple's long-rumored AR headset may include wireless charging points in the headband, locate its position in a space with ultrasonic imaging, and include an adjustable support structure to make it fit all users equally well, regardless of the size of their facial features compared to other people.

Malcolm Owen 6 years ago 11

Apple's AR headset or smart glasses may unlock your iPhone automatically

Apple wants it to be easier for users to unlock multiple devices in quick succession, with the authentication of a head-mounted AR or VR headset or smart glasses potentially allowing other nearby items to automatically authenticate the user.

Malcolm Owen 6 years ago 4

Apple's AR plans include accurate handling of real and virtual objects

A new Apple patent describes a system of registering when a user is or is not touching a real object in a virtual space, and doing so with depth measurement from fingertips and calculated from camera angles.

William Gallagher 6 years ago 2

Apple's AR & VR headset may not need external input for orientation & motion detection

New Apple research describes how augmented reality headsets may not need external markers to tell when a user is moving, and may also be able to detect when the user puts it on.

William Gallagher 6 years ago 4

Apple working on how to record multiple AR & VR streams for later playback

Alongside its work in creating tools to create Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality experiences, Apple is also looking at how such work can be recorded, shown again, or transmitted to others.

William Gallagher 6 years ago 0

Apple is working on fingertip and face mapping tools for VR and AR

Two new Apple patents describe methods to improve how a user can touch and interact with VR objects, plus how headsets could be more easily adjusted to fit better.

William Gallagher 6 years ago 2

Apple glasses could have hidden cameras and removable earphones

Apple's long-rumored AR or VR headset could keep some of its optical components behind an electrically-controlled layer to hide them from view when not required, as well as earphones that could be removed from the head-mounted display and used as speakers.

Malcolm Owen 6 years ago 21

Apple is working on holographic imaging to lighten its AR or VR smart glasses

Apple is advancing its work on optical waveguides and holographic image delivery, in part to lighten and shrink its future AR or VR headset.

Malcolm Owen 6 years ago 2

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