“Apple has assembled a large team of experts in virtual and augmented reality and built prototypes of headsets that could one day rival Facebook’s Oculus Rift or Microsoft’s Hololens, as it seeks new sources of growth beyond the iPhone,” Tim Bradshaw reports for The Financial Times.
“The secret research unit includes hundreds of staff from a series of carefully targeted acquisitions, as well as employees poached from companies that are working on next-generation headset technologies including Microsoft and camera start-up Lytro, according to people familiar with the initiative,” Bradshaw reports. “The company’s latest acquisition in the area is Flyby Media, an augmented reality start-up that lets mobile devices “see” the world around them. Flyby’s team worked closely with Google in developing software for its 3D positioning technology Project Tango.”
“Apple has been building prototypes of possible headset configurations for several months,” Bradshaw reports. “Apple is still seeking further acquisitions in optical technologies to enable it to complete its project, said people familiar with its plans.”
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: Where there’s much smoke, there is much fire.
SEE ALSO:
Apple hires leading virtual reality researcher – January 22, 2016
Apple is building a virtual reality supply chain with disruptive potential, new research shows – November 19, 2015
Analyst: Apple team exploring virtual reality/augmented reality – August 31, 2015
Apple exploring a new reality with purchase of Metaio – June 3, 2015
Apple patents perforated augmented reality display that you can see and hear through – May 29, 2015
Apple acquires augmented reality company Metaio – May 28, 2015
New Apple haptics patent application reveals diamond-layered trackpad that simulates wood, other textures – April 23, 2015
Apple granted U.S. patent for hybrid VR head-mounted display – February 18, 2015
Apple is working on VR user interfaces and gaming; looking for Oculus and Leap experts – February 10, 2015
Apple granted patent for display-based speakers for iOS devices – January 13, 2015
Apple granted a patent for devices with a transparent display – November 18, 2014
Apple’s new iPhones, iPads could feature haptic displays – June 30, 2014
Apple patent application reveals personal display headset invention – May 8, 2014
Apple patent application reveals wildly intelligent multi-tiered haptics system – May 3, 2012
Apple continues to tweak Apple TV video headset accessory – April 10, 2014
Apple patent application reveals sapphire flexible transparent display devices created with Liquidmetal – December 19, 2013
Apple granted knockout patent for head-mounted personal display – December 10, 2013
iGlasses: Apple granted patent for head-mounted augmented reality displays – July 5, 2012
Apple files patent application for haptic feedback touch-based user interface – March 22, 2012
I am a Mac guy.
But I have to admit, those demo videos of Hololens really impressed me.
I wanted to like the demos of (misnomer) ‘Hololens’, but when real demonstrations (not mockups) were given to the press, I didn’t see any reviewer that was impressed. The tech is a mess with only patchy 3D within the field of view, and not very good 3D at that. Tilt your head in the wrong direction and the 3D imagery is inexplicably cut off. Oops.
Apple has been researching vr and ar since mid 2000… I know it for a fact through jobs listings then.
Apple is not develpoing a team.. Apple has been deep into developing actual products for a long time now.
Hmmm. 3D camera with live field of view on the new iPhone plus a way to experience it. Nice killer app!
They should just give everyone free lsd
Let’s hope Apple’s augmented VR is better than Microsoft’s (misnomer) ‘Hololens’ AVR, which I find very disappointing. Read some reviews. Half-assed MS as usual.