Apple's VR Headset Might Run Tweaked Versions of iPad Apps

Apple's long-rumored VR / AR headset might run adapted versions of iPad apps, according to a new report from Bloomberg. The mixed reality device's new interface will also apparently let users access "millions" of already-available apps on the App Store. And the headset's apps might not be the only thing that might remind you of the iPad; the Home Screen and Control Center will apparently look like the iPad's as well, Bloomberg says. The Verge reports: Here are some of the apps you can expect, according to Bloomberg:

- Apple is working on "optimized" versions of apps like Safari and many of the core apps you might already be familiar with from an iPhone, including "Apple's services for calendars, contacts, files, home control, mail, maps, messaging, notes, photos and reminders, as well as its music, news, stocks and weather apps."
- There will be headset versions of FaceTime and Apple TV with features that "will look similar to their iPad counterparts."
- Apple is apparently testing a camera app, which could let you take pictures using its many rumored cameras.
- You'll be able to read books in VR with Apple Books and meditate with an app.
- A headset-compatible version of its new Freeform app could let you collaborate with others in mixed reality.
- Freeform won't be the only productivity app: the headset will also apparently support Pages, Numbers, Keynote, iMovie, and GarageBand.
- Apple wants to make watching sports a "richer experience," which could utilize technology it acquired when it bought NextVR.
- Gaming will "be a central piece of the device's appeal." (That feels like a smart decision.)

What about hardware

[backslashdot]

Software aspect leaks are stupid, they can be added/removed/tweaked later. Tell us the hardware specs, I've heard 4K per eye and also 8K per eye .. which one is it?

Re: What about hardware

[Kristoph]

4k

Re:

[backslashdot]

You remind me of guys like this, who were plentiful on slashdot before the iPhone: https://hardware.slashdot.org/... [slashdot.org]
Mind you, I used to say smartphones would sell once they fixed their issues: https://hardware.slashdot.org/... [slashdot.org]

Anyway, regarding VR, when a high res headset appears, the use cases will appear too. The biggest use case is hyper realistic gaming. People will actually invest in creating experiences that will be entertaining and shocking, shit like being eaten by a giant spider in VR. Speaking of

Re:

[Mr. Barky]

Unlimited money is never what is needed. This almost always creates unlimited waste (Zuckerberg is finding that out). You need incredible discipline to make a product as complex as a VR headset.

Apple’s principle advantage is this discipline as well as patience. Historically, they come up with a good product that responds better to a few use cases than other products. The iPod succeeded because they rethought what a music player should be, removing unnecessary features (“no wireless. Lame.”

Re: Can Apple make something else than a VR headse

[SleepingEye]

The newton also succeeded and is a mainstay in... oh what? They fail hard too? A quick google reveals exactly how much they fail software and hardware wise. The main problem they'll have to get through is motion sickness. AR or VR, many people can't look at them.

Re:

[Mr. Barky]

Apple has had plenty of failures, but their rate of success is pretty high. You cannot be in a high risk industry without them.

I did end my post saying their VR product may fail. I just wouldn’t bet on it. They do their homework, probably better than the vast majority of companies.

Re:

[khchung]

I don’t know what Apple is planning, but I do know that they have thought things through very carefully. They have enough specific use cases that they believe justify a new product.

Don't forget that this is no longer the Apple of old that brought us iPod, iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch. Steve Jobs died years ago. The current Apple is running on pure momentum, they had not introduced any significant new product since Jobs died.

The Apple VR headset might very well be the proof that Apple can no longer innovate.

Re:

[NoMoreACs]

Meta has chosen to die on this hill, and Apple should learn from that lesson before they suffer the same fate. Nobody wants a VR headset. Repeat. Nobody.

1. This isn't Apple's only "Hill"; so nobody's "betting the farm" on this at Apple. I think Apple sees this more as another "Hobby".

Like the Watch, Apple will Iterate and Improve; and by the time RealityUltra gen. 3 comes around, Apple will have found some market niches, and surprised us with some cool new capabilities, as the technologies and techniques improve. One of the big advantages of having as many different revenue streams as Apple, is the luxury to not need every single Product Category's success

Wow, I've been waiting for exactly this for-

[93 Escort Wagon]

Never.

Re:

[thegarbz]

I am an absolute VR fanboi. ... And I fully agree with you.

Product name: the iEye

[mccalli]

Go on - do it.

Wrong market

[khchung]

Trying to run iPad apps on a VR headset is the wrong market to pursue, it is extremely tiring and ineffective to try to use a flat screen in VR as you cannot use your fingers directly on the virtual screen, and you cannot use a mouse or keyboard either (keyboard might work for a touch typist if it can be seen, which means AR. Mouse won't work well in 3D VR). It's like try to write a program using controller sticks, it will be a major PITA.

Extensive voice command + eye tracking may help, but then why would

Re:

[drinkypoo]

I disagree, I think it's a genius idea, if you can sell people the headset. That's the real challenge. Allowing people to run iPad apps makes all the sense in the world if the headset is not very good. If it was very good, you could let people run real apps on it! If it's not very good, then only the simplified, fat-finger interfaces of phone and tablet apps are suitable.

I don't want to spend all my time in VR using tablet apps, but being able to pop one up and do some stuff without having to take off the h

So, if you have eyeglasses, can you see VR clear ?

[bsdetector101]

If you have bad vision and need glasses, would you be able to see VR/ AR content as it looks like with most AR/VR headsets, they wouldn't fit over glasses ? I wouldn't want to spend $1,000+ and not see, not even $100.