ALL THE LATEST NEWS ABOUT THE BUSINESS OF PC GAMES

News

Report: Apple wants to launch an AR and VR headset by 2020

Report: Apple wants to launch an AR and VR headset by 2020

US hardware giant Apple is apparently working on a line-up of virtual and augmented reality devices.

That's according to Bloomberg, which claims that a new 3D sensor system is core to the iPhone makers plans in this space. In 2021 or 2022, the firm is planning on launching a combined VR and AR headset with a focus on video games, in addition to watching video content and having virtual meetings.

That last bit of functionality sounds like a swipe at Facebook's dreams with its own Oculus VR hardware.

Furthermore, Apple plans to launch a "lightweight" set of AR glasses in 2023.

The company has in the region of 1,000 staff working on its mixed reality business. Apple has long threatened to move into this space, with around 1,000 members of staff involved with mixed reality at the firm. In the past, the company has filed patents which allude to the nature of its work on this side of things. 

This follows a report last week that the iPad and Mac firm was teaming up with Valve to work on an augmented reality device.


PCGamesInsider Contributing Editor

Alex Calvin is a freelance journalist who writes about the business of games. He started out at UK trade paper MCV in 2013 and left as deputy editor over three years later. In June 2017, he joined Steel Media as the editor for new site PCGamesInsider.biz. In October 2019 he left this full-time position at the company but still contributes to the site on a daily basis. He has also written for GamesIndustry.biz, VGC, Games London, The Observer/Guardian and Esquire UK.