Google may be leading the way in virtual reality thanks to its Daydream platform, but an Apple VR reveal is coming, according to one industry expert.
Speaking exclusively to TrustedReviews at Apps World 2016 in London, BaDoinkVR CEO Todd Glider hinted that Apple’s less than inspiring 2016 product line-up – headlined by the same-y iPhone 7 – could belie its larger ambitions to make a splash in the world of virtual reality.
Google, however, he added, enjoyed a clear advantage in the space at the moment.
Glider told us:
“The Daydream thing is huge. You’re going to see many more people taking the plunge into VR for the first time…[and] in the short term, Google will take the lead because of Daydream.
“Apple has to have a trick up its sleeve, because its been a quite while since Apple’s done anything interesting.
“People are like: ‘What’s going on?’ The Apple Watch is under impressive and there’s [nothing] exciting about the iPhone. If you look at the iPhone 7 and compare it to any Samsung phone? No, I don’t think there’s anything interesting going on at Apple right now.
“[But] I do think they’re going to plan something. They still believe in their mojo…and they’re going to do something with VR and AR. They have to.”
Glider isn’t the first insider to speculate about Apple’s potential plans for virtual reality hardware or a VR platform.
The company’s own co-founder, Steve Wozniak, has previously spoken out on the matter, while current Apple CEO Tim Cook has talked up the possibilities around augmented reality.
Apple also has a number of patents that point to the development of an HMD (head-mounted display), and the rumour mill is rife with gossip that the iPhone 8’s ‘killer feature’ could actually be a VR headset.
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Do you think Apple will unveil a VR or AR-related product soon? Let us know in the comments below.
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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.