Apple job listings and patents hint at foray into ‘3D mixed-reality world’

cointelegraph.com:

Technology giant Apple appears to be working towards the development of a metaverse-sounding “3D mixed-reality world,” according to related patent filings and recent job postings.

Since Nov. 1, over 30 jobs have been listed on Apple’s careers page related to augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR) with the Big Tech player seeking a mix of software and hardware engineers to be mostly based in its Technology Development Group (TDG).

TDG is a secretive team within Apple that may reportedly stem as far back as 2017, which is understood to be working on developing AR and VR technology. Apple has never officially confirmed such a device was in the works, though it is widely considered a tech industry “open secret.”

While Apple is currently hiring for over 150 positions according to its careers page, one particular job opening from August makes particular mention to a type of “3D mixed-reality world”.

The job ad is for an AR/VR network engineer, with part of the description reading:

A Nov. 9 Digitimes report citing unnamed sources said an Apple AR/VR headset will be assembled by Taiwanese electronics firm Pegatron — a company Apple currently uses for its iPhone 14 device — with mass production expected in Q1 2023.

A spokesperson for Pegatron told Cointelegraph it was “not able to comment on information related to a specific customer or product due to confidentiality.”

Cointelegraph contacted Apple for comment but did not receive a response.

Meanwhile, patent filings from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) reveal in August that Apple trademarked “Reality One” and “Reality Pro”, both described as “photographic and optical apparatus and instruments” and “virtual and augmented reality headsets, goggles, and glasses.”

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