Apple’s augmented reality system won’t be called realityOS after all, according to rumors the name of the new system could be xrOS.
According to Bloomberg, the name of Apple’s augmented reality system may be xrOS instead of the previously leaked realityOS. XR stands for Augmented Mixed Reality, a commonly used umbrella term for virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) and solutions that combine the two (mixed reality).
According to reports and leaks so far, Apple’s next headset will be an XR solution, not specifically VR or AR, although there are also rumors of an AR-focused device coming later. The headset could be unveiled next year, though it’s been delayed many times in the past and could happen again.
Production of Apple’s mixed reality headset could begin next March
A Bloomberg quotes people within Apple as saying that Apple referred to the software internally as xrOS. Additionally, a shell company called Deep Dive LLC has filed trademark applications for the brand name in some regions. The filings specify that the brand refers to “head-mounted displays” and “virtual reality and augmented reality experiences,” suggesting that this could be the new name.
Not much is known about xrOS, other than that it will include XR versions of many popular Apple apps, such as FaceTime, News, Notes, Maps and Messages. Apple is also working on some form of mixed reality world, which is in some ways (though certainly not all) similar to Meta Horizon Worlds and the widely publicized metaverse concept popular with many startups and venture capitalists right now.
In terms of hardware, it is believed to have more sensors inside and out and may have a very high resolution screen compared to most competing devices. It will run on a chip similar to the M2 found in recent Macs. Some reports say it looks like a ski goggle, suggesting it could be a smaller, less bulky headset than the Meta Quest or many other current VR/AR/MR headsets.
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