Apple will launch its own metaverse alongside its AR/VR headset

Apple plans to introduce its own Metaverse, imitating its competitor Meta. The debut of the company’s mixed reality headset will be accompanied by this online environment. Apple also collects a lot of specific content at the same time, including productivity apps.

Apple’s first mixed reality headset is still rumored and leaked. Mark German, a Bloomberg editor, went into great detail about the project’s development in his Sunday newsletter.

According to the journalist’s analysis of “Apple job offers published in recent months” and “changes made to the dedicated team”, the Cupertino company is engaged in content production. The launch of the headset will be accompanied by this virtual reality or augmented reality (AR) material.

“We are looking for a software engineer to work on the App Intents system to help design and implement solutions to unlock deep system intelligence, enable new tools, and simplify user interaction from application data models that are used by various system services such as Shortcuts, Siri, Search and more,” says one job listing for the TDG department.

It should come as no surprise that Apple won’t introduce a new product without new content. The California group is specifically looking for a software developer with experience in visual effects in AR or VR to develop this content.

Apple is working on a video service using AR and VR

The company is working on a video service to launch alongside its hybrid headphones. Through this service, it will be possible to watch 3D content on the device. Apple has access to a number of well-known figures, such as director Jon Favreau, to produce these videos. Movie stars are hired by the company to create premium experiences.

Note that Apple could also benefit from NextVR’s experience. The company, which was purchased in 2020 for $100 million, specializes in virtual reality broadcasting of sporting events and concerts.

Apple is working on virtual and AR-focused development tools in addition to this entertainment material. According to Bloomberg, the company is working hard on the operating system for the headset, realityOS, to support its view. It is a framework that enables interaction between apps and services such as Apple’s Siri voice assistant, shortcuts, an automatic action tool, and the search function.

The operating system, which is about to be finalized, will include tools such as Messages, Maps or FaceTime in virtual and AR. These applications, which are pre-installed on the brand’s products, can be used through the headset.

What will users be able to do?

Dave Scott, former CEO of Apple’s Apple Car division, is back. He has experience in both robotics and medicine. The return of Scott, who left the company in 2021 to lead the Hyperfine medical business, is good news for the inclusion of health-related aspects, according to Bloomberg. It is possible that Apple will include the Health app. Which comes by default on iPhone and Apple devices, in the headset operating system.

Yaniv Gur, a senior engineering director at Apple, was recently transferred to the department responsible for designing headphones. Previously, he was responsible for the Apple News, Books and Notes applications in addition to the iWork suite (Pages, Keynote and Numbers). Per Bloomberg, we can expect Apple to create a collection of work apps for its headphones.

Apple will make it easier for developers to migrate Mac software to the headset, according to a previous article by Gurman. These can then be used in AR or VR. A headset that serves as an alternative to a computer screen will allow the user to do business. Remember that Meta’s Quest Pro also has office automation features. The accessory enables access to a virtual workspace.

It would make sense to include certain productivity features following Meta Platforms Inc.’s strategy. and Microsoft Corp.’s HoloLens. Performance clearly hasn’t been a strong selling point for Apple’s competitors in the market. But it’s an important aspect of any new AR/VR platform, as long as it’s not the only one.

Apple 3D World

Tellingly, some job descriptions make it seem like Apple is planning to introduce its own metaverse. The Cupertino giant aims to build a 3D virtual environment where users can engage, much like its rival Meta. The job description that Mark German posted talks about developing “connected experiences in a 3D mixed reality world.”

“You will work closely with Apple’s UI framework, human interface designers, and system capabilities teams. Pushing you to think outside the box and solve incredibly difficult and interesting problems in the 3D application space,” it said.

However, Apple won’t use the term “metaverse” to describe its new system. Greg Joswiak, senior vice president of marketing, stated that “I would never use the word metaverse.” At a recent conference hosted by the Wall Street Journal. Apple CEO Tim Cook agrees. The leader, who confirms that AR has a bright future, believes that the term AR is not clear enough for the general public. “I’ve always thought it’s important for people to understand what something is. And I’m not too sure that everyone knows what a metaverse is.”

Also, according to recent reports, Apple will introduce its hybrid headphones sometime in the spring of 2023. We also expect that the company’s new system will be in use at that time. However, we will continue to monitor developments in this direction.