Apple’s much-rumored AR glasses reportedly suffered a setback and might not be out as soon thought. The wearable augmented-reality accessory could have gone into production in the first quarter of 2022, but that’s now supposedly unlikely.
Apple Clips adds new, easy-to-use AR video effects
Apple Clips 3.1, a new version of the free video-creation app, adds fun augmented reality effects that map themselves to a room and the people in it. The goal is unique videos that people can then share on social media.
And Apple promised to start making monthly content releases with new filters, stickers and more.
Apple Glass AR glasses reportedly enter second phase of testing
Prototype “Apple Glass” augmented reality glasses are reportedly set to enter the second phase of testing, Digitimes reported Wednesday.
The paywalled report cites “industry sources” but doesn’t reveal how many phases are involved in Apple’s testing of its AR glasses. However, since Digitimes’ sources are seemingly located predominantly in the supply chain, rather than inside Apple, this suggests that the long-rumored AR specs have moved beyond Cupertino’s initial internal mockups.
Apple AR headset concept improves detection of movement and positioning
Interacting with an AR headset would be a breeze if it could project virtual controls into the real world. Apple developed a new method for using cameras to accurately track finger movements, enabling someone to toggle these augmented reality switches and buttons.
Apple’s Reality Converter simplifies creating 3D augmented reality objects
Apple’s Reality Converter gives developers a free tool to convert, view, and customize 3D objects into USDZ, the file format Apple uses for augmented reality content. This is clearly part of the company’s drive to play a significant role in AR development.
New 3D sensor in 2020 iPad Pro could accelerate Apple AR
An iPad Pro in development for next year will be the first with a 3D scanner capable of creating digital representations of real-world objects, according to an unconfirmed report. This will supposedly be used in augmented reality and virtual reality applications.
This scanner will next appear in the 2020 iPhone, and in AR/VR goggles and glasses in coming years.
Apple AR is here. Did you notice? [Cult of Mac Magazine 319]
Who needs Apple AR glasses? The era of Apple augmented reality is already here. You just might not have noticed it. Here’s a look at where we are — and where we might be headed.
Get that glimpse of the present/future, along with Apple how-tos and product reviews (including our take on one of the best metal Apple Watch bands yet), in this week’s issue of Cult of Mac Magazine. Grab your free download from the iOS App Store. Or hit the links below to read this week’s best Apple news, reviews and how-tos in your browser.
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Apple snaps up virtual reality experts to boost AR push
Apple confirms it purchased a company that makes virtual reality and motion capture.software. The acquisition of iKinema could bolster the iPhone maker’s augmented relativity offerings, especially with a set of AR glasses supposedly coming next year.
Apple’s AR glasses team gets a new, no-nonsense leader
The top-secret group at Apple developing a pair of Augmented Reality glasses reportedly has a new leader. Kim Vorrath has been with the company for many years, and is now in charge of all Apple’s AR efforts.
Apple wants to put AR navigation in your car
Apple is exploring ways to build augmented reality into Apple Maps. Rather than top-down views of roads and intersections, the company is considering overlaying route information onto live views of the road ahead of the car.
Apple Maps has always lagged behind Google Maps. Building in AR could help it jump ahead.
Apple AR glasses concept is both futuristic and retro
An artist created a vision for a set of augmented reality glasses running a new Apple operating system. His concept video is built around the strong evidence that Apple is designing just such a product.
Watch the video now:
Apple’s VR headset could pack motorized headband system
Engineers are apparently working on an innovative design for the head-mounted display Apple is secretly developing: the company requested a patent for a motorized adjustment system.
Apple doesn’t openly talk about this project but this request, and another the company made recently, leave no room for doubt that the company is researching what will almost certainly be an augmented reality headset.
Noted analyst lists four ways that 5G will be a huge win for Apple
The faster cellular data networks being rolled out now will bring tremendous benefits to Apple, according to a well-known industry analyst. Gene Munster even said today, “Apple will be one of 5G’s biggest beneficiaries.”
He listed a number of current and future products that will see gains from this nascent wireless tech.
Apple names senior exec to promote its augmented reality initiatives
Apple’s augmented reality efforts have a new spokesperson. Frank Casanova has been named head of marketing for Apple’s AR offerings.
Apple has been hard at work in this area for years, but its developer tools and the resulting AR apps haven’t attracted significant attention. Perhaps that’s why there’s a new senior director in charge of promoting them.
HoloLens creator leaves Apple AR headset team
One of the designers of Microsoft’s HoloLens augmented reality (AR) smartglasses has left Apple.
Although exactly what Avi Bar-Zeev was working on is a secret, it was almost certainly a project to develop Apple’s own AR glasses.
2019 iPad could sport revolutionary 3D scanning tech
Apple is all-in on augmented reality. This requires sensing the objects around the computer and user, which is why Apple reportedly intends to build its new “Time of Flight” laser scanning technology into the back of the next iPad.
The 2018 iPad Pro isn’t even out yet and there’s already a possible reason to wait on its replacement .
Apple hiring a neuroscientist, possibly for its mystery AR headset
Apple employs a broad range of people, from software developers to retail staff. And soon, at least one neuroscientist.
The company is seeking an expert in sensory perception, suggesting the scientist will be employed developing its mysterious augmented reality glasses.
Apple Car could drive off the lot in only 5 years
One of the secret-but-not-really-secret projects Apple is working on is a self-driving vehicle. A well-respected analyst just gave his estimate of when this will be released.
Not only does Ming-Chi Kuo indicate that the “Apple Car” will debut between 2023 and 2025, he also lays out reasons why the product will be a success.
As a bonus, Kuo indicates when to expect Apple’s augmented-reality headset.
Apple could rake in $11 billion from augmented reality
Augmented Reality (AR) is still an emerging technology, but Apple is poised to profit from it significantly. Or that’s the prediction of one analyst anyway.
And all the extra billions in revenue wouldn’t require the rumored Apple AR Glasses, though that would help.
Apple augmented reality system could make us better drivers
Bad drivers may soon get some crucial tips on the road from Apple, if the company’s latest patent ever becomes a reality.
While everyone in tech is working on driverless car systems, it appears that Apple is looking into ways to make it safer for humans to get behind the wheel too. Apple filed for a patent this week that envisions an augmented reality system for cars that shows drivers more of what’s ahead of them than they can see with their naked eyes. And it could totally change the way we drive.
Developer demos ‘portable hole’ augmented reality effect with ARKit
Taking a journey down virtual rabbit holes may not be far away.
With the Pokemon Go craze now a thing of the past, developers are looking for other uses for augmented reality. Peder Norrby has created an app that shows off some of the possibilities of Apple’s ARKit and the iPhone X: a portable hole.
Apple’s AR ambitions may be bigger than we thought
Apple “may have over 1,000 engineers working on a project in Israel that could be related” to augmented reality, claims UBS analyst Steven Milunovich in a new note to clients.
Because of this, Milunovich suggests that Apple is viewing AR as one of the next big areas of tech innovation. One possible application could be, “moderate 3D mapping” which might arrive as soon as this year’s iPhone upgrade — along with an AR software development kit.