Apple, one of the most popular tech giants all over the globe, is prepping up to infiltrate a new market with the launch of a mixed-reality headset. Speculations are that the headsets will be shipped with xrOS. Previously, Apple announced the tvOS and the HomePod operating system in its ecosystem. A report by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman suggested that the mixed reality headset by Apple is being called xrOS on the internal level. The XR in the name denotes something like an extended reality operating system.
In addition, Apple has also filed a trademark for the realityOS through a shell company in January 2023. Even after all that, a report by 9to5Mac said that it could not be confirmed if Apple is working on both xrOS and the realityOS for future innovations based on Augmented Reality and Mixed Reality. It has also been witnessed that Apple has registered various trademarks under the Reality franchise, including Reality Processor, Realme Pro, and Reality One.
Anticipations are that there are two different AR/VR platforms – one for iOS and the other one for macOS. As of now, it has not been revealed whether the two applications will serve different purposes or not. Rumors have it that the engineers at the Cupertino giant are calling the realityOS to the platform based on iOS and xrOS to the platform based on macOS.
There is no word when the xrOS’ launch date will be as of now. However, expectations are that the company will announce the headset by WWDC 2023, along with the iPhone 15, in September 2023.
xrOS features
First things first, xrOS is going to be the first generation of Apple’s mixed reality operating system. Speculations are that Apple will deliver a Virtual Reality-like experience with the xrOS. It will realistically render the face and body of a user in virtual reality. The same will also help two people communicate in such a way they will feel like being in the same room. All the other users will be portrayed as an icon or memoji on the interface.
Apart from that, Apple will also offer innovative in-air typing considering the fact that the Reality Pro will not have a remote control. Immersive video-watching is something that Apple is really looking forward to. As claimed by the company, it is working with Disney and Dolby along with its introducing its own library of content via the Apple TV Plus. Apple could offer a dedicated video-watching feature in the upcoming headsets to enhance the viewing and streaming experience of the users. On top of that, xrOS will also fuse with the macOS, as the Reality Pro headset might work as a Mac display in the virtual reality setup.
It is also being said that the xrOS will work in collaboration with many applications that are being used on iOS. The primary interface of xrOS will be similar to that of an iPad or an iPhone. Not only this, but the users will be allowed to pin widgets on the platform too. Some of the applications that will be included in the same are Photos, Calendar, Apple services, Mail, Messages, and Safari.
