Virtual Reality – Apple is reportedly developing xrOS to power the next ecosystem of devices

In recent times, a rumour suggests, Apple is very close to launching its next extended reality headset “xrOS” in the market. 

With 2022 ending on a somewhat quiet note with just one event, all eyes are on the next big thing in the year 2023. In the upcoming year 2023, however, Macs, iPads, and iPhones might not be the star. The reason behind that is a new report suggests Apple is now ready to launch an entirely new ecosystem. 

xrOS Mixed Reality Headset

According to Bloomberg, Apple has “started working on a mixed-reality headset” which is expected to be finally going to launch in the new year. Along with the hardware, so far managed to avoid any leaks, Apple is also working to build a new dedicated operating system named xrOS, as well as an xrOS App Store for third-party software. Similar to iOS and macOS, as the name suggests the platform is a major component of the headset. 

Bloomberg had previously reported that Apple’s OS was being developed under the name of realityOS, however, the new xrOS branding suggests Apple had bigger plans for the ecosystem. The word “XR” stands for extended reality, which encompasses both virtual and augmented reality devices and applications. Similar to iOS and macOS, xrOS will likely constitute a complete metaverse ecosystem that supports features that will complement each other and Apple’s other devices. 

One of the xrOS devices will surely be a virtual reality headset – or possibly two if Apple continues to separate its products into categories: Pro and non-Pro models. In a patent filing with the U.S Patent & Trademark Office, Apple has described a “Self-Mixing Interferometry-Based Input Device” or an Apple Ring, As Apple described the system as an “SMI-based gesture input system that includes at least one of a wearable or a handheld device.”

The expert expects that such a system would work exceptionally well in conjunction with a headset. Apple displays that the Apple Ring work seamlessly with an Apple Pencil for AR applications. An Apple Ring would have some health features that would work independently from a headset as well, similar to the Oura Smart Ring that features to track sleep, readiness and activity. 

With 2023, it is expected that Apple would work on mixed-reality “metaverse” which has been steadily ramping up, with rumours pointing to a 2023 launch. The xrOS headset will reportedly feature a pair of 8K displays and an M1 processor, and thus come with a hefty price tag. If the rumours of the new platform and an ecosystem are true, however, the price and wait will be worth the investment.