After being rumored for years, Apple is reportedly "wrapping up" its development for the operating system (OS) of its mixed-reality headset. As per reports, the company has been hiring people for its AR and VR technology team and even recruiting past engineers who worked for Apple before.
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SINGAPORE, SINGAPORE - SEPTEMBER 24: An Apple logo is reflected on glass at the Apple Store at Orchard Road on September 24, 2021 in Singapore. Apple announced September 14 the release of four variants of its latest iPhone 13, alongside other upgrades to its product lineup.
Apple's Mixed-Reality Headset
Based on Bloomberg's Mark Gurman through his Power On newsletter, he stated that Apple will be focusing on some areas that the company needs to work on, and devices that may potentially release next year.
Codenamed Oak, the mixed-reality headset of Apple is currently in development as cited by previous reports. As per Gurman, Apple is already finalizing the OS and this might lead to launching the headset by 2023. This could also be expensive and will not be targeting Apple's mass consumers. Instead, they will be focusing on "pro" users, developers, and heavily tech fans.
Despite suspending its recruitment plans until 2023, Apple has been looking out for future employees who would like to work for codename Oak. Based on Gurman, the company opened some job listings and it indicates that the company is searching for an experienced software producer, who specializes in visual effects and game asset pipelines for virtual-reality devices.
Joblistings for AR/VR Technologies
The new hires will be joining the teams who will be working on AR/VR technologies, including the Technology Development Group (TDG) of the company. Based on a report from 9To5Mac, engineers were also listed as Apple looks for people who will work on the App Intents framework for design and implement solutions like Shortcuts, Siri, Search, and more.
Lastly, the teams are finding engineers who will work on tools and frameworks in a 3D mixed-reality world, that may be similar to the metaverse. The job listing stated, "You will work closely with Apple's UI framework, human interface designers, and system capabilities teams-pushing you to think outside-the-box, and solve incredibly challenging and interesting problems in the 3D application space."
Also Read: No Apple Metaverse? Mixed Reality AR/VR Headset from Cupertino to Focus on Device Only
Apple AR/VR Vice President Mike Rockwell and Former Hardware Chief Dan Riccio will be leading the team as they work on this device. This will be Riccio's final initiative for the company and will be reporting directly to Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook.
Apple also brought back its Former Senior Member of Apple's Self Driving Car Unit Dave Scott. He resigned from the company in 2021 along with other employees and executives. Some engineers were also shifted to the headset team including Senior Director of Engineering Yaniv Gur. He worked for the iWork apps (Pages, Keynote, and Numbers), Books, Notes, and News apps.
Related Article: Apple's AR/VR Headset is Reportedly Going the Standalone Route! Jony Ive Still a Consultant?
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Written by Inno Flores
