Augmented Reality

FT: Apple stepping up efforts in augmented reality eyewear

Christian Zibreg ∙ March 27, 2017

The Financial Times ran a paywall'd story Monday, in which it reported that Apple is “stepping up” its augmented reality efforts across the company, especially in augmented reality eyewear, with the ultimate goal of releasing a consumer-facing accessory. Augmented reality is now reportedly the most important development project within Apple, after iPhone.

The report notes that both Apple with its yet-to-be-announced product and Facebook with its tethered Oculus headset are gearing up to challenge the secretive Florida-based startup Magic Leap and Microsoft, which more than two years ago debuted its praised augmented reality accessory, called HoloLens.

New Bloomberg report details Apple’s AR efforts

Christian Zibreg ∙ March 20, 2017

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman in a new report Monday offered a deeper insight into Apple's next big thing—the company's secretive efforts related to augmented reality (AR) technologies which reportedly include an iPhone-connected digital spectacles that the news organization previously said would launch in 2018.

Citing people with knowledge of Apple's plans, the report states that the company's built a team combining the strengths of its hardware and software veterans with the expertise of talented outsiders. The group is allegedly being run by former Dolby Laboratories executive Mike Rockwell and includes engineers who worked on Facebook's Oculus and Microsoft's HoloLens virtual reality headsets “as well as digital-effects wizards from Hollywood.”

Check out beautiful mockups imagining augmented reality Siri on iPhone 8

Christian Zibreg ∙ March 14, 2017

iPhone 8 could enable augmented reality features via a next-generation FaceTime camera outfitted with a bespoke PrimeSense chip for depth sensing, 3D scanning, advanced facial recognition and more.

The upcoming Apple flagship may also introduce enhanced Siri capabilities that may or may not benefit from built-in augmented reality support.

Designer Gábor Balogh has created some gorgeous mockups imagining an augmented reality Siri on an edge-to-edge iPhone.

Do iPhone 8’s supposedly revolutionary VR/AR features sound too good to be true?

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 17, 2018

Will iPhone 8 knock our socks off with revolutionary virtual reality and augmented reality capabilities? I'm not sold yet, but that's not stopping some people from making far-fetched speculations based solely on wishful thinking and little evidence. And what evidence has been presented thus far is very flimsy.

In January, blogger Robert Scoble ran a scoop claiming Apple had partnered with German lens specialists Carl Zeiss on a pair of digital glasses that would connect wirelessly to the next iPhone and display images and other information to the wearer.

Following today's research from UBS's Steve Milunovich saying Apple has 1,000 engineers working on a top secret project that would give the next iPhone 3D mapping capability using stereoscopic vision, Scoble told MacRumors that Apple is “readying a three-ounce pair of glasses that pair with iPhone 8 for mixed reality.”

UBS: Apple has 1,000 engineers working on augmented reality, tech to debut in iPhone 8

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 28, 2017

According to analyst Steven Milunovich and his team at UBS, augmented reality (AR) will likely be Apple's next major product innovation.

In a research note seen by Business Insider, Milunovich writes that the Cupertino firm may have well over a thousand engineers working on a project in Israel that could be related to augmented reality.

UBS expects Apple to implement augmented reality in iPhone 8, which could include “moderate 3D mapping using stereoscopic vision” based on a technology called Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) as well as a software development kit for app makers to take advantage of the handset's rumored AR features.

KGI: iPhone 8’s FaceTime camera to support 3D sensing, AR, biometric authentication & more

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 21, 2017

We heard before that Apple might integrate augmented reality features into iPhone 8’s Camera app and now KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has provided fresh details about a “revolutionary” front-facing camera system that will “bring an innovative user experience” to Apple's first OLED iPhone.

In a note to clients, obtained by AppleInsider, the analyst writes that a pair of infrared transmitting and receiving sensors on the FaceTime camera will help the next iPhone provide features ranging from 3D sensing and modeling to advanced biometric authentication combining facial scanning and Touch ID fingerprint recognition.

Will iOS be next to mimic Snapchat?

Steffen Reich ∙ Updated May 7, 2018

Everywhere you look today, large social media ventures are seemingly ripping a page out of Snapchat’s playbook. Instagram did it, Facebook’s Messenger app has done it, and we are about to witness Facebook itself clone Snapchat’s daily stories big time. As much as Apple are primarily known for their hardware, it goes without saying that this major shift in what consumers want from their applications (or: spike in perceived self-importance) will not have gone unnoticed by Apple’s software department.

Coincidentally or not, Snapchat-like features are spreading like wildfire at a time where Apple are beginning to talk more openly about the prospect of tying Augmented Reality into a future iOS version. Against the backdrop of Pokemon GO’s success with augmented camera images and Snapchat’s unrivalled popularity based on selfie filters, it is not far to seek that Apple will be looking to capitalize on such trends as well - and what better way to jump on the bandwagon than to provide built-in effects for the stock camera?

Like the sound of it or not, it has got to be a proposition almost irresistible to Apple, mainly for two reasons: the ability to deepen monetization of their in-house apps and chance to reel in a whole lot of new Gen-Y customers. Here’s why filters on iOS could happen in 2017.

Apple patents tiny thru-holes in OLED display, HUD windows & more slick tech for full-face iPhone

Christian Zibreg ∙ January 10, 2017

A new patent No. 9,543,364 for “Electronic devices having displays with openings” has been awarded to Apple this morning by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). First filed for in February 2015, this newly granted patent reveals more ways iPhone 8 will outclass Android rivals.

The invention would basically put some common components typically found on the front face of the phone behind the display assembly.

What components are we talking about?

Well, stuff like the earpiece, forward-facing cameras, Touch ID and various sensors. Integrating such parts behind the display assembly would help design a truly edge-to-edge device. Apple is thought to be working on such designs for its upcoming OLED-based iPhone 8 refresh.

Sketchy report says Apple working with German optics maker Carl Zeiss on AR glasses

Christian Zibreg ∙ January 10, 2017

Bloomberg recently alleged that Apple is considering a digital glasses gadget for a possible release some time in 2018. In a Facebook post published Tuesday, well-known blogger Robert Scoble claims that the Cupertino firm has partnered with German lens specialist and optical instruments maker Carl Zeiss on the project, which should develop augmented reality optics for the digital glasses.

Sales of virtual reality and augmented reality gadgets have been weaker than expected

Christian Zibreg ∙ December 5, 2016

Sales of augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) headsets and accessories have been “weaker than expected,” causing concerns for companies that have invested heavily in these technologies, according to a report Monday by Taiwanese trade publication DigiTimes. Weak demand for AR and VR gadgets is being blamed on a lack of content and expensive prices, among other factors.

Apple, as you know, is thought to be researching AR accessories of its own and has filed a number of patents pertaining to virtual reality technologies.

Apple working to integrate augmented reality tech into iPhone Camera app

Cody Lee ∙ November 16, 2016

Apple is integrating augmented reality technology into the iPhone’s camera app, reports Business Insider. Citing sources familiar with the matter, the outlet says the initiative involves teams from several acquired startups, and will serve as a stop-gap until its digital glasses are ready for market.

Apple working on digital glasses for possible release in 2018

Cody Lee ∙ November 14, 2016

Apple is considering expanding into the digital glasses space, reports Bloomberg. Citing people familiar with the matter, the outlet says it's still the exploration phase, but if the project is given the green light, the glasses could launch as early as 2018.

The glasses would connect wirelessly to iPhones, and project images and other information into the wearer's field of vision. Sources say it's possible that they could utilize augmented reality, and it seems likely given Apple's public interest in the tech.