Apple's Headset Will Reportedly Let Customers Create AR Apps via Siri

Apple is working on new software tools that will allow both developers and customers to create augmented reality apps for its widely-rumored AR/VR headset, according to a paywalled report today from The Information's Wayne Ma.

Apple AR Icon
Interestingly, the report claims that customers will be able to create and release AR apps for the headset via Siri, even if they do not have the ability to code:

With the software tools, Apple hopes that even people who don't know computer code could tell the headset, via the Siri voice assistant, to build an AR app that could then be made available via Apple's App Store for others to download. The tool, for example, could allow users to build an app with virtual animals moving around a room and over or around real-life objects without the need to design the animal from scratch, program its animations and calculate its movement in a 3D space with obstacles.

The report likens Apple's tool to Minecraft and Roblox, which allow anyone to easily create 3D tools and worlds. Apple is said to be utilizing technology that it acquired from Montreal-based startup Fabric Software in 2017, and customers would be able to distribute the AR apps they create on the App Store alongside developers.

Apple already offers some AR creation tools like Reality Composer on the iPhone and iPad that could be expanded to the headset.

It's worth noting that the report cites sources who last saw demonstrations of the tool in 2021, so the report is based on older information and it's possible that Apple's plans have changed at least slightly in the time that has passed since.

Apple is also working on AR content for the headset, according to the report:

People familiar with Apple's content strategy for the headset say Apple executives are emphasizing health and wellness including proposals for AR apps that assist with meditation and exercise. One early AR demo allowed users to sit inside a Zen garden, the four people said.

Apple's headset is expected to be released later this year and will reportedly have an iOS-like interface with a grid of apps, advanced eye and hand tracking, and the ability to function as an external display for a Mac. The software tools for the headset could be revealed at Apple's annual developers conference WWDC in June, giving developers time to create AR and VR apps for the headset before it launches to customers later in the year.

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Top Rated Comments

mgollaher92 Avatar
27 months ago
Yeah, lets have Siri develop apps when it can barely handle turning my lights on and off.
Score: 65 Votes (Like | Disagree)
HobeSoundDarryl Avatar
27 months ago

It's all fun and games until Siri runs into a compiler error.
"I don't know what you mean by compiler error. Here's what I found on the web for compiler error." ;)
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TheYayAreaLiving ?️ Avatar
27 months ago
The problem is Siri doesn't really like to listen to my commands. Apple really needs to work on fixing and improving Siri first. Will be seeing this error message alot.

Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Akrapovic Avatar
27 months ago
This feels like someone heard a rumour and misunderstood it. Like when the iPhone 14 Pro camera cutout was said to have notification indicators in it, and it turned out it was the dynamic island. Or when the Watch S7 was meant to have a flat screen, and it turned out it was an early rumour for the AW Ultra.

This feels more like it'd be a mini sandbox style enviroment where can be like "Hey Siri, add a chair" and it'll drop in objects. Creating entire apps through voice is fantasy. We still can't even do that well with codeless drop n drag systems, never mind trying to explain an app to a voice assistant that struggles with timers.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
nwcs Avatar
27 months ago
That sounds fun for like 5 minutes. Like watching an old 1990s After Dark screen saver.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
4nNtt Avatar
27 months ago
I hope it doesn't go this way, but with how Siri has been acting lately...

Hey Siri, Create a reality scene
Siri - I'm having trouble connecting, try again in a few minutes
Hey Siri, Create a reality scene
Siri - I'm having trouble connecting, try again in a few minutes
Hey Siri, Create a reality scene
Siri - Here is your AR scene, would you like to add content?
Hey Siri, Add a cat to the scene
Siri - I'm having trouble connecting, try again in a few minutes
Hey Siri, Add a cat to the scene
Siri - I'm having trouble connecting, try again in a few minutes
Hey Siri, Add a cat to the scene
Siri - Here is a cat
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)