Apple is thinking about making this crazy virtual reality headset

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Screen Shot 2014-09-09 at 8.24.06 AM

Today, in what is being described as a “historic” event, Apple will take the stage in Cupertino and unveil at least three new products: the 4.7-inch iPhone 6, the 5.5-inch iPhone 6+, and (quite possibly) the iWatch, Apple’s revolutionary wearable.

But imagine if Apple had even more in store for us. Like what? Oh, say, this Apple patent for an Occulus Rift style virtual reality headset!

Ahead of Apple’s event today, the US Patent and Trademark Office has published 47 freshly granted patents to Apple, one of which is this doozy of a Lawnmower Man faceplate. (It’s similar — possibly even identical — to this one we’ve written about before, but that one was just a patent application.)

Patently Apple explains how it could be used:

In some embodiments, the personal display device may simulate the experience of watching a movie in a movie theater. In some embodiments, several personal display devices may simulate the experience of playing in a multi-player video game. For example, users may be different passengers in a racecar or drivers of different cars.

Each user’s personal display device may adjust the displayed media based on where the user is located in the game (e.g., the user sitting in the back seat behind the driver will see the back of the driver’s head, or the user may see a different view of the outside world and of the other users’ cars based on where the user’s car is located on the road).

Realistically, there’s little chance Apple intends on getting in on virtual reality any time soon. But imagine if they did! You could explore Apple’s notorious walled garden in first person, like Xanadu.

Source: Patently Apple

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