The Apple AR / VR headset is not yet official, but the leaks surrounding it keep coming – and the latest arrival outlines what the device can do with other Apple products, such as iPhones and HomePods.
A patent (Opens in a new tab) filed in Europe (via MacRumors (Opens in a new tab)) describes “Multi-Device Continuity for use in Extended Reality (XR) Systems”, and expands the Continuity features (such as Handoff and Universal Control) already available in current Apple gadgets.
We believe that the same rules of Continuity will apply to the future AR / VR (or XR) headset: as long as you have signed the same Apple ID on all your devices, they will work together using technologies such as Wi-Fi Fi and Bluetooth.
Ease of use
The patent gives some examples of how this works. In one, a person wearing the headset looks at an email on an iPhone, and then throws it onto a larger virtual display using a hand gesture or a glance. well
In the same way, it is possible to transfer music playback from an iPhone to a HomePod – all you have to do while wearing the headset is to make a gesture or simply shift your gaze to change. or the devices. You also get additional screens and widgets that display augmented reality while viewing on a Mac screen, for example.
You get the general idea. Of course the usual patent disclaimer applies: these patents do not always have to end up as shipped products or parts, although they give us an idea of what companies are currently exploring.
Analysis: persistence is key
Generally, the Continuity features that Apple has baked into its products make life easier and more convenient. Recently, macOS got the ability to use a nearby iPhone as a webcam for example – a smart idea and well implemented.
It’s no surprise that Apple wants to extend this to its upcoming AR/VR headset. The device was not launched in a vacuum: Apple has a strong ecosystem of products that help increase the appeal of the headset.
In the same way that the Apple Watch has become a desirable accessory for the iPhone, the AR / VR headset can be positioned as something that is not only good on its own, but also when it works with iPhones, iPads, Mac and more. .
As with all these leaks and rumors, we’ll have to wait and see. Most of the chatter we’ve heard so far points to a 2023 launch for the new device, although the first edition will likely be priced above the budget of most average consumers.