Augmented Reality

Apple granted a patent for augmented reality-enhanced maps and navigation on iPhone

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 8, 2016

We know from Tim Cook's remarks that Apple dabbled in virtual reality systems before deciding that augmented reality is the way to go. As opposed to virtual reality which completely immersed you in computer-generated environments, augmented reality overlays computer imagery on live video feed of the real world, enhancing or augmenting the images of your real-life surroundings.

Apple's latest patent award for augmented reality maps that surfaced today in the database of the United States Patent & Trademark Office underscores the company's commitment to augmented reality technologies.

KGI: Apple’s AR tech could end up in autonomous driving system

Cody Lee ∙ November 2, 2016

KGI Securities' Ming-Chi Kuo issued a new research note to investors on Wednesday regarding his vision for Apple's augmented reality efforts. In the letter, the noted analyst says that we likely won't see these efforts for 1-2 years, but when we do they will redefine Apple's current products and open up new categories.

Why Apple should be more bullish on Virtual Reality

Steffen Reich ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

2016 will unquestionably be remembered as the year Virtual Reality made a meaningful entrance to the tech world. Granted, there were murmurings and early adaptations long before, but with the staggered release of Oculus Rift in March, the HTC Vive in April, or the new Samsung Gear VR in August, Virtual Reality (of varying degrees) appears to have accomplished the shift from nascent tech-demo material to becoming a more legitimate contender for a share of your wallet.

On October 13, Playstation joined the fray, releasing the arguably most consistent and yet affordable VR experience with Playstation VR. If early numbers and reviews are anything to go by, this could be the product to help the technology cross the consumer chasm once and for all and attract mainstream interest.

Tim Cook: augmented reality is ‘profound,’ will take time to get right

Cody Lee ∙ Updated May 17, 2018

Apple CEO Tim Cook once again sings the praises of augmented reality in a new interview with BuzzFeed News. Cook tells the outlet that his team is "high on AR in the long run" and he believes the technology can be "huge."

His latest comments echo those from previous interviews, including one from August with The Washington Post. He said at that time that Apple is very bullish on AR and is doing a lot of things with the tech behind the curtain.

Tim Cook just admitted that Apple’s doing “a lot of things” on augmented reality

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated August 20, 2016

“I think augmented reality is extremely interesting and sort of a core technology,” Tim Cook told The Washington Post in an interview published Sunday. “So, yes, it's something we're doing a lot of things on behind that curtain we talked about.”

This, boys and girls, right there is Apple's first public admission that not only has it been dipping its toes in augmented-reality technology, but possibly creating its next major computing platform.

Microsoft opens pre-orders for $3,000 development edition of the HoloLens headset

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 16, 2018

Back in January 2015, Microsoft took the wraps off an ambitiously conceived augmented reality headset, the HoloLens. Today, the Windows maker announced it is opening pre-orders for a pricey development edition of the HoloLens, which costs $3,000 a pop.

Developed in partnership with NASA and billed as the first and only fully untethered holographic computer, the HoloLens runs a version of Windows 10 called Windows Holographic and features see-through lenses that project interactive holographic images into the view of the user.

Apple hires top virtual reality researcher

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 30, 2018

Apple has hired Doug Bowman, one of the top US researches in virtual reality, reports the Financial Times. Mr. Bowman recently joined the Cupertino firm after taking a brief sabbatical from his position as computer science professor at Virginia Tech. He also served as the director of the university's human-computer interaction centre.

According to the FT, Bowman's experience spans both fully-immersive VR and augmented reality, and he is well respected by his peers. He has received several industry awards and other recognitions for his work, including a $100,000 grant from Microsoft for a HoloLens study, and he's consulted for Walt Disney's Imagineering unit.

Lead Microsoft HoloLens audio engineer has been hired away by Apple

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 31, 2015

Talk that Apple could be working on an augmented reality project of its own intensified Monday with news that the iPhone maker poached Nick Thompson, the lead audio engineer for Microsoft's HoloLens augmented reality project.

As noted by Piper Jaffray analyst Travis Jakel, Thompson's LinkedIn page reveals he started working as an engineer at Apple this July. Before joining Apple, he was the HoloLens Audio Hardware Engineering Lead at Microsoft from September 2012.

Apple acquires augmented reality firm Metaio

Cody Lee ∙ May 28, 2015

Apple has acquired augmented reality startup Metaio, according to a recently surfaced legal document. A spokesperson for Apple confirmed the purchase to TechCrunch, saying "Apple buys smaller technology companies from time to time, and we generally do not discuss our purpose or plans."

The filing claims that shares of Metaio were transferred over to the Cupertino firm between May 21st and 22nd, so it seems the acquisition was completed fairly recently. The company, which was essentially an offshoot of an AR project at German automaker Volkswagen, was founded in 2003.

New report details Siri API, Apple’s Google Now, ‘Browse Around Me’ in Maps and more iOS 9 stuff

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 27, 2015

Apple is reportedly reading a Siri Application Programming Interface (API), according to a new report. Called Breadcrumbs, it should let developers enhance iPhone and iPad applications by implementing Siri intelligence in a limited fashion. Another new initiative seeks to create a Google Now experience for iOS devices.

In addition, the Cupertino firm is reportedly adding augmented reality features to Apple Maps, including one dubbed Browse Around Me.

The way it's supposed to work, you'd point your iPhone's camera toward a particular business or an area and Maps would put up relevant information such as a virtual view of menu items or daily specials, 9to5Mac said Wednesday.

How to simulate the Apple Watch with augmented reality

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated April 30, 2018

Still baffled about how the Apple Watch will actually look on your wrist? There's a new app that provides what is arguably the best look yet (outside of trying on a real Apple Watch). The app, called ARWatch, uses augmented reality to simulate the presence of an Apple Watch on your wrist.

Apple granted new patent for virtual reality iPhone headset

Cody Lee ∙ Updated June 21, 2018

The United States Patent and Trademark Office published over 40 new patents today that were recently awarded to Apple. These filings offer a glimpse at a variety of interesting inventions, including an Oculus-style Virtual reality headset.

The VR patent covers a headset that features a slot for an iPhone or iPod—similar to Samsung's Gear VR. It takes advantage of the device's display and camera for producing heads-up-display graphics set atop a constant live video feed.