iOS 14 Leak Reveals Apple Developing New Augmented Reality App Codenamed 'Gobi' With QR Code-Like Tags

Apple is developing a new augmented reality app codenamed "Gobi," according to iOS 14 code leaked today by 9to5Mac.

The report claims the app would revolve around QR code-like tags that trigger an augmented reality experience, adding that Apple appears to be testing integrations with Apple Stores and Starbucks. "For instance, users would be able to hold up their phone in an Apple Store and view information about the products on display, get pricing, and compare features."

apple ar glyph
The report adds that Apple plans to make an SDK or API available to third-party companies to "provide their own tag identifiers, which would load up custom assets and scenery for that company," noting that this would be based on extensions built into App Store apps. It is unclear if the API would be widely available or limited.

For more new features and changes expected in iOS 14, keep an eye on our roundup.

Tag: 9to5Mac
Related Forum: iOS 14

Popular Stories

maxresdefault

Five Features Coming to AirPods Pro 3

Friday June 27, 2025 10:52 am PDT by
Apple hasn't updated the AirPods Pro since 2022, and the earbuds are due for a refresh. We're counting on a new model this year, and we've seen several hints of new AirPods tucked away in Apple's code. Rumors suggest that Apple has some exciting new features planned that will make it worthwhile to upgrade to the latest model. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Heal...
iPhone Car Key WWDC 2025

Apple Announces 13 Automakers Planning to Offer iPhone Car Keys

Friday June 27, 2025 11:42 am PDT by
In 2020, Apple added a digital car key feature to its Wallet app, allowing users to lock, unlock, and start a compatible vehicle with an iPhone or Apple Watch. The feature is currently offered by select automakers, including Audi, BMW, Hyundai, Kia, Genesis, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, and a handful of others, and it is set to expand further. During its WWDC 2025 keynote, Apple said that 13...
anker power bank recall

PSA: Anker Recalls Multiple Power Banks Due to Fire Risk

Friday June 27, 2025 4:16 pm PDT by
Popular accessory maker Anker this month launched two separate recalls for its power banks, some of which may be a fire risk. The first recall affects Anker PowerCore 10000 Power Banks sold between June 1, 2016 and December 31, 2022 in the United States. Anker says that these power banks have a "potential issue" with the battery inside, which can lead to overheating, melting of plastic...
A18 Pro Chip

New MacBook With A18 Pro Chip Spotted in Apple Code

Monday June 30, 2025 8:05 am PDT by
Apple is developing a MacBook with the A18 Pro chip, according to findings in backend code uncovered by MacRumors. Earlier today, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reported that Apple is planning to launch a low-cost MacBook powered by an iPhone chip. The machine is expected to feature a 13-inch display, the A18 Pro chip, and color options that include silver, blue, pink, and yellow. MacRumors...
Chase Sapphire Reserve Apple Perk Feature

Chase Sapphire Reserve Card Introduces New Perk for Apple Customers

Wednesday June 25, 2025 2:08 pm PDT by
Chase this week announced a series of new perks for its premium Sapphire Reserve credit card, and one of them is for a pair of Apple services. Specifically, the credit card now offers complimentary annual subscriptions to Apple TV+ and Apple Music, a value of up to $250 per year. If you are already paying for Apple TV+ and/or Apple Music directly through Apple, those subscriptions will...
iPhone 17 Pro Blue Feature Tighter Crop

iPhone 17 Pro Launching in a Few Months With These 12 New Features

Thursday June 26, 2025 2:00 am PDT by
Apple's next-generation iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are around three months away, and there are plenty of rumors about the devices. Apple is expected to launch the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max in September this year. Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models:Aluminum frame: iPhone 17 Pro models are rumored to have an...
macbook air spacegray purple

Apple Planning to Launch Low-Cost MacBook Powered By iPhone Chip

Monday June 30, 2025 3:20 am PDT by
Apple is planning to launch a low-cost MacBook powered by an iPhone chip, according to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. In an article published on X, Kuo explained that the device will feature a 13-inch display and the A18 Pro chip, making it the first Mac powered by an iPhone chip. The A18 Pro chip debuted in the iPhone 16 Pro last year. To date, all Apple silicon Macs have contained M-series...
iPhone 17 Pro Lower Logo Feature 1

iPhone 17 Pro Coming Soon With These 14 New Features

Monday June 30, 2025 1:08 pm PDT by
Apple's next-generation iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are less than three months away, and there are plenty of rumors about the devices. Apple is expected to launch the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max in September this year. Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models:Aluminum frame: iPhone 17 Pro models are rumored to have an...

Top Rated Comments

amalmo Avatar
69 months ago

Apple is leaking quite a lot these days :)
Someone should put Apple in quarantine :)
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
lunarworks Avatar
69 months ago

It's the developers internally testing iOS 14 that are selling this piece of information (or perhaps a device unit running it) for money. Tim can't start checking each developer if they're the one doing this. It might be hard to catch.
They probably aren't even selling it. It's the "I've got a secret and I wanna tell people!" factor.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
DarkCole Avatar
69 months ago
This sounds like another stepping stone for Apple AR Glasses.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Apple Knowledge Navigator Avatar
69 months ago
I’m not being pessimistic, but this doesn’t sound like a compelling use case for AR.

Apple Stores, for instance, already have iPads next to most products on display that are used to browse pricing and information.

And as for Starbucks, they already have an app and information in store.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Freida Avatar
69 months ago
Apple is leaking quite a lot these days :)
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Bokito Avatar
69 months ago
This sounds a bit like Qualcomm's Vuforia Library. It's an object recognition platform and you can attach actions to it in your own app. It worked pretty good at that time (about 5 years ago when I worked on such an app).

You can for example organise a fox hunt and have people scan objects that they need to visit in order to get the next message. I think this is quite fun and if Apple delivers it without issues it can be a big success.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)