Apple has already been working on augmented and virtual reality for some time now and has given developers ARKit to create new content. Now, it looks as though the iPhone maker has acquired a startup from Montreal, Canada which could help it release its own augmented reality headset by 2020.
According to TechCrunch, Apple has acquired the Canadian firm, Vrvana, which made the Totem headset - although it was never released it was well received by pundits. Now that Apple has bought the firm for 30 million dollars it’ll use its expertise to help Apple create something enticing for customers. The potential Apple headset could be a watershed moment for AR and VR, like previous Apple products have been for other new technologies.
Vrvana is the second company this year which Apple has acquired in the field of AR and VR. In June, the company acquired SMI, an eye-tracking firm which was working on solutions for VR and AR headsets and in previous years has purchased Flyby Media, metaio, Emotient, and Faceshift - all companies which can help it excel in the field.
If Apple does follow through on plans to make a headset, with Vrvana’s expertise, then it’ll be the first time the company has ventured into hardware when it comes to AR and VR, a move Microsoft and Google have already undertaken.
Source: TechCrunch
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