Apple’s Secretive AR/VR Headset Might Have Two Options, Custom Processor

Is Apple secretly funding a shadowy shell firm to purchase up emblems associated to its in-development VR/AR headset? That’s the most recent juicy hypothesis out of the Apple headset rumor mill over at Bloomberg. The new report cites trademark filings in practically a dozen international locations for names like, “Reality One,” “Reality Pro,” and “Reality Processor,” every probably referencing the corporate’s extremely secretive AR/VR headset anticipated to be launched as early as January 2023. The drawback is, these trademark purposes weren’t really filed by Apple; nevertheless, Bloomberg argues this wouldn’t be the primary time Apple labored with different firms behind the scenes to do its bidding.

Gizmodo couldn’t affirm the entire particulars within the Bloomberg report and Apple didn’t instantly reply to our requests for remark, so take all of this with a grain of salt.

Each of the brand new trademark purposes have been filed by Immersive Health Solutions LLC, a Delaware-based shell firm shaped simply six months in the past, in accordance with Bloomberg. If that doesn’t already sound suspect sufficient, the publication notes Immersive Health Solutions was registered by the ominously named “Corporation Trust Co,” which Bloomberg notes is commonly utilized by firms trying to keep away from undesirable detention. Corporation Trust Co, was reportedly concerned earlier this yr in submitting a trademark for “realityOS.”

Believe it or not, rumors surrounding the supposed “realityOS” working system really date again to at the least 2017. That preliminary rumor, additionally coming by means of Bloomberg, claimed the rumored working system, additionally known as “rOS” relies off of iOS and would energy Apple’s headset.

Immersive Health Solutions LLC and Corporation Trust Co didn’t instantly reply to Gizmodo’s requests for remark.

Trademarks have been reportedly filed within the U.S., UK, EU, Canada, Saudi Arabia, Australia, New Zealand, Costa Rica, and Uruguay. In three of these international locations—the U.S., Canada, and New Zealand—the filings reportedly relied on regulation corporations Apple has beforehand used to file emblems. The report claims Apple usually makes use of this method to secretly purchase up patents forward of time to keep away from having to spend large to buy them again from different firms as soon as they’ve merchandise able to launch.

What we expect we learn about Apple’s headset to date

Apple’s combined actuality headset, together with its beleaguered automobile fiasco, are among the many two worst stored secrets and techniques in tech. The firm nonetheless hasn’t formally introduced the headset, however nearly everybody within the VR/AR house is bracing themselves for the product to launch and ship shockwaves by the trade. Analysts predict the high-powered standalone combined actuality system might ship as early as subsequent yr with a $2,000 price ticket. Previous experiences counsel it might price as a lot as $3,000. That would make it simply one of many costlier client headsets available on the market. For context, Meta’s Quest 2, the most popular client headset, simply bumped up in its value to $499.

When Apple does launch its first headset, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicts it is going to restrict its launch to round 1.5 million items. On the spec aspect of issues, the system might characteristic 8K shows, M1 Pro-level energy, and are available decked out with 14 built-in cameras. Apple’s headset is anticipated to mix twin 4K OLED microdisplays and at the least six optical modules to supply steady, “video see-through AR services.”

The latest emblems additionally present a couple of extra hints of what to anticipate with Apple’s headset. For starters, the “Reality One” and “Reality Pro” emblems might counsel Apple’s curiosity in launching a number of tiers of its headset because it does with different merchandise just like the iPhone and Watch. Bloomberg notes the “Reality Processor” trademark might additionally probably consult with a brand new customized silicon chip designed particularly for the headset. Then once more, Apple might be filling a number of emblems to cowl their bases slightly than fear about shopping for having to purchase them later.

And despite the fact that the corporate hasn’t even formally introduced its first headset, we’ve already began studying some new particulars about its second era headset. That headset, which might ship someday within the first half of 2025, will reportedly include a micro OLED panel provided by LG. Sony’s reportedly supplying the shows for the Mk1 model. That second mannequin might also reportedly ship with each a excessive finish and barely extra reasonably priced model.