Bloomberg journalist Mark Gurman has claimed that Apple is “racing to build” new sports, gaming, and fitness apps for its long-rumored new AR/VR headset, which is expected to be unveiled in June at WWDC23 ahead of its official launch later in the year, with Gurman saying Apple is “seeking to win over potentially wary consumers with apps that use the device’s novel 3D interface.”
It’s no surprise that Apple is working on new applications for its forthcoming mixed-reality headset, with Gurman claims that the offerings will include gaming, fitness and collaboration tools, new versions of Apple’s existing iPad features, and services for watching sports, citing people with knowledge of the plans.
In his report, which claims that the new Apple headset will be priced around $3,000, Gurman says a big part of Apple’s effort is adapting iPad apps for the new headset. “Users will be able to access millions of existing apps from third-party developers via the new 3D interface,” says Gurman.
Gurman says users will be able to watch Apple TV shows in virtual reality, make FaceTime calls, read books from the Apple Books store, and more.
In 2021 we saw The Information publish a sketch of the upcoming headset, claiming to have seen secret internal imagery from an unnamed source “with direct knowledge” of the development, reporting that the device will offer a “sleek, curved visor attached to the face by a mesh material and swappable headbands.”
Concept creator Ian Zelbo has released visuals showing what Apple’s new headset will probably look like based on earlier leaked information, featuring an Apple Watch-style adjustable headband and AirPods Max reminiscent mesh cushion for comfort around the wearer’s eyes.
Image: Ian Zelbo