Apple’s mixed reality headset is still on track for release next year, with a new name for its upcoming operating system, according to a report released Thursday.
Bloomberg claims that the name of the operating system has changed from the previously leaked “realityOS”to “xrOS”. XR stands for Augmented Reality (sometimes also referred to as Mixed Reality), a widely used catch-all term for both virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR), as well as an experience that combines aspects of both.
Reports and leaks to date have suggested that Apple’s next upcoming headset will be an XR and not strictly VR or AR, though there are also rumors of an AR-focused device to be released at a later date. The launch of the headset is scheduled for next year, although it has already been postponed many times and may be again.
Apple has previously used shell companies like this one to file trademarks before a product is introduced.
Not much is known about xrOS other than that it will include XR versions of many of Apple’s well-known apps, such as FaceTime, News, Notes, Maps, and Messages. Apple is also working on some form of mixed reality world, perhaps similar in some respects (though certainly not in all respects) to Horizon Worlds Meta and the much-touted metaverse concept popular with many startups and venture capitalists.
In terms of hardware, it is said to have multiple sensors both inside and out, as well as a very high resolution screen compared to most competing devices. It will run on a chip related to the M2 found in recent Macs. Some reports say it looks a bit like ski goggles, suggesting it could be a smaller and less bulky headset than the Meta Quest or many other current VR headsets.