Tim Cook, the CEO of Apple, teased that the App Store currently has around 14,000 apps that are based on Augmented Reality (AR) technology. But, he added this figure will only grow even more as the company maintains its investment in the technology.

According to a PhoneArena report, the executive teased the future of App Store earlier this week, when talking about the Cupertino based giant’s plans for augmented reality. For those unaware, AR technology essentially adds a layer on top of the real world rather than bring the user to an entirely virtual world like VR (Virtual Reality). In response to a reporter’s question about the iPhone maker’s plans with the Metaverse, Cook stated that “We see a lot of potential in this space and are investing accordingly.”

This statement is in line with recent rumors that have hinted at Apple working on its first AR/VR mixed reality headset. As per our previous report, the headset was initially planned for a 2022 release, but now, the company has apparently delayed its launch to 2023. In other words, the mixed reality headset may be arriving alongside another one of Apple’s highly anticipated products, the Apple Glass.

For those unaware, this pair of glasses would appear to be no different from a regular one. But it will include AR functionalities. Cook also talked about the company’s research and development team has been working on various aspects like hardware, software, and services. He further added that “That’s where the magic really happens. There’s quite a bit of investment going into things that are not on the market at this point.”

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Fresh information shared by Bloomberg claims that Apple is working on an augmented reality headset. It will be a new and independent product line from the company that is speculated to debut in 2019.

Like the Apple Watch, the forthcoming AR headset from the Cupertino-based company is expected to feature its own microprocessor. Also, the company will be introducing a new kind of operating system called rOS for its new AR headset. It seems to be a customized version of iOS like watchOS and tvOS. It is also pegged to feature its own version of App Store.

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Unlike the existing VR headsets that requires users to make use of a smartphone as an engine, the Apple AR headset that is rumored to debut in 2019 will have its own screen. Apple is yet to finalize on how users will be controlling the AR device. Initial reports claim that Apple is considering options like voice-commands through Siri, head gestures and touch. There is no information on the design of the device. However, initial reports suggest that it may look like Google Glass.

Apple is rumored to be working on this upcoming AR headset since a couple of years. It is speculated that the AR device from the company may be unveiled to the world in 2019 and it could be available for buying by early 2020.

(source)

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