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Apple prioritizes xrOS development over iOS 17 & macOS14 for its AR/VR Headset

Date: 18-01-2023

Apple’s Expected Release of Mixed-Reality Headsets

The tech giant Apple expected to release its mixed-reality headset in the fresh year of 2023. For this reason, the company has decided to shift a good number of engineering resources to its AR/VR components. This is being done in order to integrate its mixed-reality headset. With its own VR-specific operating system ‘xrOS’ as it gets ready for its introduction this year.

Apple’s xrOS vs iOS17

Apple is reportedly pushing the development of xrOS while diverting engineering resources from iOS 17 and macOS 14. Apple is prioritizing the development of its xrOS operating system for AR/VR headsets. Apple’s focus on the development of “xrOS” for the headset has come. At the cost of its engineering resources being diverted from working on much-needed features for iOS 17 and macOS 14.

Apple’s Decision to Change Priorities

Unfortunately, Apple’s decision to change its priorities has put a halt, if not a complete stop to the creation and updation of new features and products.

As Apple prepares to release its new flagship AR/VR headset this year, it has given the development of xrOS a top priority. Indicating that work on the latest features for iOS17, macOS 14, as well as iPadOS17, has been put on hold until successful completion.

Apple’s Changes Take Effect

A hefty amount of engineering resources was redirected to this unit. In order for the software to develop in time for its debut this year. Apple seems to have had no other option. Because its other divisions were already suffering from their own delays and budget restrictions.

Operations at Apple company were halted temporarily. After it was learned that the next updates will be including more significant modifications than it was anticipated initially. This might make it difficult for the company to concentrate on creating other software for their upcoming products.

Possibilities & Rumors

Generally, Apple releases beta versions of its up-and-coming new operating systems to its developers by summer after it announces them. Similarly, this is expected to be made available to the public together with the introduction of its most recent iPhone model.

According to the rumors, the upcoming generation of iPhones will have the exact screen sizes as the iPhone 14 series. But all four models will support Dynamic Island. Additionally, better processors and migration to USB-C are some anticipated features for the iPhone 15 series.

Furthermore, Apple is actively developing additional augmented reality features for its Apple Store App. This special feature would get activated once a specific identified user walked into an actual Apple Shop. This will allow them to point at a product in a physical store and have additional information emerge in the augmented reality perspective.

AR/VR Experiences

Apple has been developing its  AR-enhanced shopping experience, and more recently, it has been testing the functionality in a few select retailers. Although there is no official confirmation yet, there is a chance that this might be soon made available to the general public.

Previously before the yearly Worldwide Developers Conference was held, Apple’s plans to introduce its AR/VR headset were made obvious. The revolutionary VR device’s introduction was initially scheduled for 2020, however, that date was later pushed further back to 2021 and then delayed to 2022.

Their headset was most recently delayed last year when it was announced that it will debut in 2023, and its shipments shall begin later in the year.

Several software developers working at Apple had previously used the device to test and develop its software for future third-party applications.

Future Of Apple With xrOS?

While features for the next generation of Apple OS releases are not known. There may not be major changes. Due to the company’s focus being on getting “xrOS” ready in time for its launch which is planned later this year. Separately, work on new augmented reality features for the Apple Store app is also almost ready.

The augmented reality feature is expected to activate when users access the physical Apple retail store. And they can point at a product in the store. This might be the needed feature as it will provide Apple users with to access and view more information about the overlaid products that too in an augmented reality view.

Apple has been working on the AR shopping feature for many years. Now it has been recently testing it at its stores. Usually, new operating systems are announced at Apple’s WWDC event. These are held in June with beta versions of software being sent for testing over the summer.

Read Also: iOS App Development Tends for 2022

Tags associated Apple prioritizes xrOS development,iOS 17,macOS14