Apple Focusing on Gaming, Sports, and Fitness Apps for Its Mixed Reality Headset

As Apple prepares to unveil its AR/VR “mixed” reality headset at its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC 2023) in June, it is working on several apps to make the headset a must-have for potential buyers. The Cupertino firm is working on gaming, wellness, sports, and other apps for the headset, says a Bloomberg report.

Apple’s AR/VR headset is expected to make its debut on June 5 during the WWDC keynote address, going on sales months later, carrying an approximately $3,000 price tag.

Apple expects slow sales for the headset initially, thanks to its expensive price, expecting first-year sales to be a mere one million units or so, which would be a disappointing total for an Apple device.

This means Apple will have to work hard to make sure the headset turns out to be more than just a niche product. To do this, Apple will need to develop killer apps much like those that have fueled iPhone sales over the years.

Internally, Apple employees have expressed doubts about the headset’s future, calling it a “solution in search of a problem” and saying the device isn’t “driven by the same clarity” as other products from the Cupertino company.

Solution in search of a problem and not driven by the same clarity as other products from the Cupertino company.

Apple is adopting iPad apps for the headset, including Safari, Files, Messages, Notes, Calendar, Contacts, Home, Photos, Music, Reminders, and other apps. All of the apps will be optimized for use with the headset. Users will be able to access existing App Store content via a 3D interface. The device will have multitasking capabilities and will use geolocation functionality to switch between the apps according to which room a user is currently in.

Headset users will control the headset using their hands and eyes. For example, users pinch their fingers together to pick up objects and navigate menus.

Apple is also reportedly developing a version of Apple Books for use on the headset, allowing users to read in virtual reality. A camera app is also under development, that can take photos from the headset.

A virtual reality version of Apple’s Fitness+ workout service is also being developed for the headset. The app will allow users to exercise while following along with an instructor in VR. A meditation app is also being developed that will offer users a series of calming voice-overs, graphics, and sounds.

A headset version of the company’s Freeform collaboration app will also be available for the headset. The app, which was launched on the company’s other platforms last year, allows users to collaborate on virtual whiteboards while in mixed reality. A dedicated FaceTime experience will also be available for the headset, offering virtual meeting rooms and Memoji-style avatars.

Apple’s push into sports streaming will also be a part of the AR/VR headset’s capabilities, offering immersive viewing experiences for MLB and MLS content. A dedicated TV app will allow users to view videos in a virtual reality environment.

Apple will also work with game developers, providing tools to aid them in porting their existing games to the mixed reality environment and creating new AR/VR gaming experiences.

This information first appeared on Mactrast.com