Apple's 'realityOS' for Rumored AR/VR Headset Referenced in Source Code

New references to "realityOS," the AR/VR operating system that will run Apple's rumored mixed reality headset, have been found in App Store upload logs and Apple open source code this morning.

apple ar headset concept 2

Concept render based on purported leaked information by Ian Zelbo

Apple is working on at least two AR projects that include an augmented reality headset set to be released in late 2022 or 2023, followed by a sleeker pair of augmented reality glasses coming at a later date.

According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the headset will feature two M1-style Apple silicon chips providing Mac-level computing power, and offer an innovative experience with seamless switching between AR and VR modes.


The AR/VR headset is expected to run a new operating system, previously referred to as "rOS," which stands for Reality Operating System. Just as tvOS runs Apple TV, macOS runs Macs and watchOS runs Apple Watch, "rOS" is expected to power Apple's AR headset. First unearthed by Bloomberg in 2017, the AR/VR operating system is internally codenamed "Oak."


According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple wants to create an ‌App Store‌ for the headset, with a focus on gaming, streaming video content, and video conferencing. It has been described by Bloomberg as an "all-encompassing 3-D digital environment" designed for gaming, media consumption, and communication.

However, Apple's long-rumored AR/VR headset could be delayed until 2023 after being beset with issues during the development process, according to Bloomberg. Rumors initially suggested that Apple's AR/VR headset would come out at some point in 2022, perhaps at WWDC in June, but there are still development issues that Apple needs to overcome.

(Thanks, Matthew!)

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Top Rated Comments

MacHiavelli Avatar
28 months ago
'Concept render based on purported leaked information ('https://www.macrumors.com/2021/02/04/apple-mixed-reality-headset-features-report/') by Ian Zelbo ('https://www.macrumors.com/2021/12/21/artistic-renders-apples-ar-vr-headset/')'

Based on ski goggles, circa 1976.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jayducharme Avatar
28 months ago
Maybe RealityOS will be for AR and they’ll have FantasyOS for VR. ?
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Smartass Avatar
28 months ago

somehow I doubt that is going to happen.
If they dont give any effort into bettering VR Porn or gaming, then whats the point?
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
bollman Avatar
28 months ago
Video conferencing with a AR/VR-headset on? Wow, that will be interesting for other participants :cool:. Or, they want everyone to have a headset on and meet in a Virtual environment?
Well, solution looking for a problem.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
chucker23n1 Avatar
28 months ago
That's nothing!

https://github.com/apple-oss-distributions/dyld/blob/f0c616f1ed40db72ca252a4f59e8bd0895a8f1e1/common/MachOFile.cpp#L588



Attachment Image
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TheYayAreaLiving ?️ Avatar
28 months ago
This pretty much confirms it exists. I hope Apple pulls it off and it's not delayed till 2023.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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