Trademark Filings Suggest Apple Possibly Gearing Up for AR/VR Headset Launch

New trademark filings suggest that Apple is gearing up to soon launch its first AR/VR headset as it looks to secure several possible names and marketing terms for its upcoming headset, including "Reality Processor," "Reality Pro," and "Reality One."

apple ar headset concept 1

Render via designer Ian Zelbo

The filings, reported by Bloomberg, were filed in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, Costa Rica, and Uruguay and are listed under shell companies used by Apple in the past to trademark names. Apple regularly uses shell companies to trademark names as it allows the company to maintain secrecy over unannounced products, services, or software.

Apple is planning to call the software that runs on its AR/VR headset "realityOS," so "Reality One" could make sense for the name of its first AR/VR headset. Other trademarked terms, including "Reality Processor," could refer to the chip that runs on the headset. Bloomberg reports that Apple is planning to use an M2 Apple silicon chip with 16GB of RAM for the AR/VR headset but notes Apple may need more powerful graphics to handle the experience.

Apple's first AR/VR headset, expected to be announced as soon as this January, will be a high-end niche device that could cost upwards of $3,000. Bloomberg and reliable Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo both report that Apple is already working on a second-generation version of its AR/VR headset that could be less pricey and lighter. The follow-up version, as well as the "Apple Glasses," aren't expected to launch until later this decade, according to Bloomberg.

In May, Apple showcased its AR/VR headset to its board, indicating that the development of the product is largely complete. realityOS is expected to feature several AR/VR-based experiences, such as integration with Apple Maps and FaceTime with Memojis. You can learn more about Apple's AR/VR headset with our roundup.

Related Roundup: Apple Vision Pro
Buyer's Guide: Vision Pro (Neutral)
Related Forum: Apple Vision Pro

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Top Rated Comments

ProfessionalFan Avatar
36 months ago

With the Mac, iPhone and iPad Apple is making products for almost everybody because everybody can find a use for it. To a lesser extent that applies to the Apple TV and Watch. In that regard this will be a niece market for Apple. Besides that I don’t see many people paying thousands of $/€ now for such a thing. Unless Apple comes with something unique software wise it’s a no-go for most people.
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/apples-new-thing-ipod.500/

When you get bored, read that iPod thread from the day it was announced. Lots of people were saying similar things.
Score: 25 Votes (Like | Disagree)
madmin Avatar
36 months ago
It's missing a snorkel
Score: 22 Votes (Like | Disagree)
syklee26 Avatar
36 months ago
One more thing:

After seeing the prices for these devices: Reality Check
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
wanha Avatar
36 months ago
Psyched about the upcoming "Apple AR/VR Glasses: What We Know" article, which is, of course, 100% based on rumors and speculation
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Blackstick Avatar
36 months ago

Like always people say „nothing for me, it is too expensive, nobody will buy it“. Happened to the ipad, apple watch etc. And look where we are now ;)

It will be a hit and lots of people will buy it. VR is still in the early stages and it will be the future.
If that rumored $3000 price is real; no it won’t be a hit.

End of the day, you price high like that, you’ve got a niche product regardless of how cool it is.

The iPad, iPhone and iPod were wildly successful because they were cool, addressed a fairly ubiquitous use case, AND met a psychological, accessible price point.

Once you’re pricing north of $2000, the amount of possible buyers for anything “inessential” drops off a cliff.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
SpringKid Avatar
36 months ago

I get so tired of hearing comments like this, when people spend close to 3k on a high end iPhone, thousands on a new TV or AV equipment and thousands on computer hardware. YOU might not be able to afford it, but it will sell. People spend $US19 on an Apple rag!
There's no iPhone even close to 3k, though. The most expensive one is about half of that.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)