Everything We Know About Apple’s Upcoming AR Headset – SlashGear

Following earlier reports of Apple beginning to mass-produce its first mixed-reality headset starting in March 2023, Gurman has indicated that work on Apple’s mixed-reality headset is happening at an increased pace. In addition to the headset’s hardware, Apple is also working on developing an entirely new MR-centric operating system and app store ecosystem. Apple’s under-development, MR-focused operating system has also received a name change after the company decided to call it “xrOS” (short for “extended reality operating system”) as opposed to the older name, “reality OS.” Gurman also claims that Apple made a conscious decision to call the operating system “xrOS” to drive home that its MR headsets will encompass aspects of AR (augmented reality) as well as VR (virtual reality).

Apple’s mixed-reality OS could borrow most of its capabilities from the company’s existing smartphone, computer, and tablet operating systems, allowing users to install native and third-party apps. Bloomberg has previously reported the likelihood of Apple developing an MR-focused Software Development Kit (SDK) as well. Gurman’s report also mentions Apple’s job listings that indicate the company’s aim to create its iteration of the Metaverse.

While we are still months away from the purported launch window for Apple’s first MR headset, images of what the device could look like leaked a year ago (via MacRumors) — thanks to noted concept maker Zelbo. However, it is too early to say if Apple would stick to this design language for its first MR headset, which is also likely to be targeted at commercial buyers — at least during the initial years of its life.