KGI analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has provided his thoughts on Apple’s AR ambitions, saying the company could introduce an augmented reality device in the next two years.
A note from Kuo to investors obtained by AppleInsider reveals Kuo’s predictions, with the analyst suggesting the iPhone will provide the foundation for a full AR product.
Unfortunately, no details about just what that product will be were provided in the note, but it follows a recent report that claims Apple is working on a version of the iPhone that can double as an AR viewer.
Related: iPhone 7
Tech blogger and Entrepreneur in Residence at UploadVR, Robert Scoble, recently took to Facebook to reveal what he says are the actual plans for the next iPhone, which will apparently take the form of a clear piece of Gorilla Glass with a built in OLED screen that can disappear.
This will allegedly enable the next iPhone to act in a similar way to Microsoft’s upcoming HoloLens by projecting virtual elements onto the real world for an augmented reality experience.
The iPhone 8 could come with some form of AR tech built in, though it’s unlikely
We’re far from convinced that this is what Apple has in-store for the iPhone 8, but with Kuo’s latest comments, it seems there’s a lot of buzz surrounding the company’s AR plans, which means Scoble might not be completely wrong.
The latest report also claims Kuo “sees Apple integrating AR to redefine key product lines,” making it easier to interact with other Apple devices such as Apple TV.
Related: Microsoft HoloLens
The company could also use augmented reality to break into other fields, such as automotive technology, according to the analyst.
While Apple has long been rumoured to be working on a self-driving car of its own, recent rumours have suggested it will now be focusing more on the software side of autonomous and semi-autonomous vehicles.
Microsoft is working on its own AR headset: HoloLens
CEO Tim Cook confirmed his company was working on AR back in August, when he told The Washington Post: “I think AR is extremely interesting and sort of a core technology. So, yes, it’s something we’re doing a lot of things on behind that curtain we talked about.”
Cook previously expressed his appreciation for augmented reality, saying it “will be huge’ and that Apple was ‘investing in’ the tech.
Apple has already been buying up smaller AR and VR firms, and expanding its team with strategic hires, so we’re expecting to see something more concrete in the very near future.
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Let us know what you think Apple could have in-store in the comments.
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Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
