Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) sees augmented reality as the next frontier in technology.
The Silicon Valley-based company says it is working on a range of augmented and virtual-reality devices underpinned by a new three dimensional (3D) sensor system. This includes a new iPad Pro for release in the first half of 2020 that will feature a module with two camera sensors, up from one on the current model, and a small hole for the 3D system, letting people create three-dimensional reconstructions of rooms, objects and people.
Apple says it also plans to add the sensor to new high-end iPhones later in 2020, along with 5G networking capabilities. In 2021 or 2022, Apple aims to release a combined virtual reality and augmented reality headset with a focus on gaming, watching videos and virtual meetings. The company intends to roll out a lightweight pair of augmented reality glasses as early as 2023.
Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook has talked up augmented reality for years, and the technology is the core of Apple’s next big hardware push beyond the iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch. The new 3D sensor system will be the centerpiece of these plans. It has been in development inside Apple for several years and is a more advanced version of the face identification sensor on the front of Apple’s latest mobile devices.
Apple reportedly has about 1,000 engineers working on the augmented reality and virtual reality initiatives, which is led by Vice President Mike Rockwell. The internal team also has ex-NASA engineers, former game developers and graphics experts. When the new devices launch, they will become part of Apple’s growing wearable devices segment, which currently includes the Watch, AirPods and Beats headphones.
