Development of Apple’s rumoured AR headset is seemingly moving forward again, this time with help from Valve.

According to a new Digitimes [paywall] report (via Mac Rumours), Apple is working with one unlikely partner – Valve – on its long-in-development AR – augmented reality – headset.

The device is said to be targeting a second half of 2020 release, with Valve working on design and a different company handling manufacturing and assembly. Internally, Apple is working on software and UI for the HMD, which is said to be sold as an iPhone accessory that relies on the smart phone’s processing power.

It’s not clear whether Valve is one of several third-party companies working on AR headsets for Apple, or the only company. Apple has always been more interested in AR over VR because of the former’s ability to be integrated into everyday tasks without closing one off from the world.

As Mac Rumours notes, the company scrapped its internal AR hardware team in May, leading some to believe it is – at least for the time being – pausing development. It turns out, this may not have been entirely true.

Valve, of course, just launched its first in-house VR headset, so it’ll be interesting to see if the company is also working on its own AR HMD.

Posted: Nov 06, 2019 7:33 pm
Related Forum: PC Gaming Forum

Source: https://www.vg247.com/2019/11/04/valve-making-apple-ar-headset-report/