Augmented Reality Apps to Arrive with iPhone 3.1 Update - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Augmented Reality Apps to Arrive with iPhone 3.1 Update

The L.A. Times reports that Apple will begin allowing developers access to the tools they need to produce augmented reality applications starting with upcoming iPhone OS 3.1. While there have been many impressive demos floating around showing the possibilities, these applications have used unpublished APIs which prevent them from being allowed on the App Store. Apple, however, told one developer that the tools necessary would become available with iPhone 3.1.

Apple told Acrossair, developer of the Nearest Tube train finder, that the app will be approved for distribution after Apple releases version 3.1 of the iPhone software, which the developer expects will land in early September.

The New York City version of this app is called Nearest Subway and is demoed in this video:

(Removed)

Augmented reality uses the device's GPS, camera and digital compass to overlay real-time data onto live video. Other possibilities include iPhone games as well as the Layar browser we've highlighted before. iPhone 3.1 has been seeded to early developers but the exact release date has not been revealed.

Related Roundup: Apple Vision Pro
Buyer's Guide: Vision Pro (Neutral)
Related Forums: Apple Vision Pro, iPhone

Popular Stories

General visionOS watchOS and tvOS Betas Feature Redux

Apple Releases Third watchOS 26.5, tvOS 26.5 and visionOS 26.5 Betas

Monday April 20, 2026 10:03 am PDT by
Apple today provided developers with the third betas of upcoming watchOS 26.5, tvOS 26.5, and visionOS 26.5 betas for testing purposes. The software comes a week after Apple released the second betas for each platform. The software updates are available through the Settings app on each device, and because these are developer betas, a free developer account is required. There's no word on ...
apple immersive video boundless

Apple Vision Pro Shoot Ended in Fatal Aircraft Crash

Thursday April 16, 2026 4:38 am PDT by
A British paraplegic adventurer was being filmed for an Apple Vision Pro immersive video series during a fatal aircraft crash in the Jordanian desert in July 2024, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports. Claire Lomas became internationally recognized in 2012 when she became the first person to complete the London Marathon using a robotic exoskeleton suit, five years after being paralyzed from the...
apple vision pro orange

Vision Pro Creator Mike Rockwell Has Considered Leaving Apple

Wednesday April 22, 2026 6:09 am PDT by
Mike Rockwell, the Apple executive who led development of the Vision Pro and is now in charge of rebuilding Siri, has considered leaving the company or moving into an advisory role as soon as next year, according to a new Bloomberg report by Mark Gurman. Rockwell is said to have reservations about reporting to his new boss, software chief Craig Federighi, and wants a bigger remit than the...