Apple is known to be working on a mixed-reality headset but last month reports emerged that employees have been unimpressed during internal testing. One concern is how a device that will reportedly cost $3,000 will appeal to customers. After all, Apple is a consumer company. Well, it seems Apple will differentiate its headset by making it compatible with millions of applications.
The device, which could be announced at WWDC 2023, is expected to be a high-end product that will compete with the likes of Meta Quest 2 and PSVR 2.
One of the features that could set Apple’s headset apart from its rivals is its ability to run millions of current apps from the App Store. Bloomberg reports sources familiar with the project say Apple’s headset will have a feature called “App Mode” that will allow users to access any app that supports iOS 15 or later.
App Mode will use a combination of color passthrough cameras and spatial mapping to project apps onto any surface in the user’s environment. Users will be able to interact with the apps using hand gestures, eye tracking, and voice commands. App Mode will also support multitasking, allowing users to run multiple apps simultaneously in different windows.
The report claims that App Mode will be compatible with most existing apps, including games, social media, productivity, and entertainment apps. However, some apps may require optimization or updates to work properly with the headset. Developers will be able to test their apps on the headset using a simulator tool that will be available in Xcode 15.
Other tools integrated in the headset will include “Reality Mode” to offer VR experience with ultra-high-resolution. There will also be a “Mixed Mode” that will combine both VR and AR to offer more immersive and realistic experiences.
Apple Employees are Reportedly Concerned
Apple reportedly demoed its headset internally last month, but the product did not impress employees.
Reports suggest that Apple has already presented an upcoming mixed-reality headset to the top 100 execs within the company. The presentation was apparently held in the Steve Jobs Theater at Apple’s Cupertino HQ.
There are reportedly murmurs amongst Apple employees that there is no purpose to the product.
Tip of the day: The Windows Clipboard history feature provides the functionality across device, space, and time, letting you copy on one computer and paste the text days later on a different PC. All of it is possible via the Windows 10 clipboard manager, which lets you view, delete, pin, and clear clipboard history at will.
In our tutorial we show you how to enable the feature, clear clipboard history, and enable/disable clipboard sync to meet your preferences. You can also create a clear clipboard shortcut for quick removal of stored content.
