Is Apple secretly funding a shadowy shell firm to purchase up emblems associated to its in-development VR/AR headset? That’s the most recent juicy hypothesis out of the Apple headset rumor mill over at Bloomberg. The brand new report cites trademark filings in practically a dozen nations for names like, “Actuality One,” “Actuality Professional,” and “Actuality Processor,” every doubtlessly referencing the corporate’s extremely secretive AR/VR headset anticipated to be launched as early as January 2023. The issue is, these trademark functions weren’t really filed by Apple; nonetheless, Bloomberg argues this wouldn’t be the primary time Apple labored with different corporations behind the scenes to do its bidding.
Gizmodo couldn’t affirm all the particulars within the Bloomberg report and Apple didn’t instantly reply to our requests for remark, so take all of this with a grain of salt.
Every of the brand new trademark functions have been filed by Immersive Well being Options LLC, a Delaware-based shell firm fashioned simply six months in the past, in response to Bloomberg. If that doesn’t already sound suspect sufficient, the publication notes Immersive Well being Options was registered by the ominously named “Company Belief Co,” which Bloomberg notes is usually utilized by corporations trying to keep away from undesirable detention. Company Belief Co, was reportedly concerned earlier this 12 months in submitting a trademark for “realityOS.”
Consider it or not, rumors surrounding the supposed “realityOS” working system really date again to no less than 2017. That preliminary rumor, additionally coming by means of Bloomberg, claimed the rumored working system, additionally known as “rOS” is predicated off of iOS and would energy Apple’s headset.
Immersive Well being Options LLC and Company Belief Co didn’t instantly reply to Gizmodo’s requests for remark.
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Emblems have been reportedly filed within the U.S., UK, EU, Canada, Saudi Arabia, Australia, New Zealand, Costa Rica, and Uruguay. In three of these nations—the U.S., Canada, and New Zealand—the filings reportedly relied on legislation corporations Apple has beforehand used to file emblems. The report claims Apple typically makes use of this strategy to secretly purchase up patents forward of time to keep away from having to spend large to buy them again from different corporations as soon as they’ve merchandise able to launch.
What we expect we find out about Apple’s headset to date
Apple’s combined actuality headset, together with its beleaguered automotive fiasco, are among the many two worst saved secrets and techniques in tech. The corporate nonetheless hasn’t formally introduced the headset, however nearly everybody within the VR/AR house is bracing themselves for the product to launch and ship shockwaves by way of the business. Analysts predict the high-powered standalone combined actuality system might ship as early as subsequent 12 months with a $2,000 price ticket. Earlier stories recommend it might price as a lot as $3,000. That may make it simply one of many costlier shopper headsets in the marketplace. For context, Meta’s Quest 2, the hottest shopper headset, simply bumped up in its worth to $499.
When Apple does launch its first headset, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicts it can restrict its launch to round 1.5 million items. On the spec facet of issues, the system might characteristic 8K shows, M1 Professional-level energy, and are available decked out with 14 built-in cameras. Apple’s headset is anticipated to mix twin 4K OLED microdisplays and no less than six optical modules to offer steady, “video see-through AR providers.”
The current emblems additionally present a number of extra hints of what to anticipate with Apple’s headset. For starters, the “Actuality One” and “Actuality Professional” emblems might recommend Apple’s curiosity in launching a number of tiers of its headset because it does with different merchandise just like the iPhone and Watch. Bloomberg notes the “Actuality Processor” trademark might additionally doubtlessly confer with a brand new customized silicon chip designed particularly for the headset. Then once more, Apple might be filling a number of emblems to cowl their bases quite than fear about shopping for having to purchase them later.
And despite the fact that the corporate hasn’t even formally introduced its first headset, we’ve already began studying some new particulars about its second era headset. That headset, which might ship someday within the first half of 2025, will reportedly include a micro OLED panel equipped by LG. Sony’s reportedly supplying the shows for the Mk1 model. That second mannequin can also reportedly ship with each a excessive finish and barely extra inexpensive model.
