Reacting to the Most Exciting (And Silliest) Apple VR Rumours

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According to Apple Rumour Mill Jedi Knight and Leader of the Supply Chain Whisper Network Resistance, Mark Gurman, Apple first started work on its virtual reality headset “about seven years ago”.

Gurman’s ever-vague and somewhat hesitant reporting aside, this rumoured ‘next big thing’ from Apple continues to provide some fascinating table talk.

We’re still expecting something to be unveiled in June at WWDC, and rumours persist that it’s going to cost somewhere in the region of a meme-inducing $3,000. Gurman is also likening the first version of ‘Reality Pro’ (as it has been dubbed) to the first version of the Apple Watch. The resulting product, he suggests, will be packed with features in much the same way as Apple’s existing wearable was at birth.

I.e. a metric sh*t tonne of stuff no one will ever use.

Today, I thought it’d be fun to while away a few minutes reacting to the many rumoured features Apple will apparently be throwing at the VR wall.

Will any of them stick? Do any of them sound too daft to be real? Am I looking forward to any of them?

Let’s find out.

The ability to run iPad apps in mixed reality

This rumour refers to the headset’s supposed ability to run Apple-branded iPadOS apps. The likes of Books, Contacts, FaceTime, Freeform (yikes), and Safari will, we’re told, take on an entirely new form which blends AR and VR.

I have so many questions.

Firstly, why the iPad integration? Is that a typo in Mark’s report, or will the headset only be compatible with Apple’s tablet?

Secondly, while there are some obvious examples of Apple apps that would make total sense in a mixed-reality world, why on earth would I want to access Files in VR? It’s hard enough on an iPad.

This is made all the weirder by the note that the headset will possibly also be able to run “the hundreds of thousands of existing third-party iPad apps from the App Store with either no extra work or minimal modifications.”

It sounds like a recipe for disaster, doesn’t it?

A new wellness app

This is expected to focus on meditation by combining calming sounds with voice-overs.

I don’t meditate myself, but it’s something I’m aware that I should try – particularly given the ridiculously busy nature of my life as a solopreneur.

Losing oneself in a completely made-up world for a few minutes each day might be a wonderful way to switch off (ironically) from the tech that surrounds us.

I’m excited by the prospect of this one.

A portal for watching sports in virtual reality

Apple is clearly on a serious drive to include more live sports integration on the Apple TV. Major League Soccer and Friday Night Baseball are now both available within the Apple TV app for US residents, and you can bet your bottom dollar there’s more on the way.

I have no idea what a virtual reality-powered version of live sport would look like, but I assume it could offer a far more immersive experience than the current 2D coverage we enjoy. Imagine riding onboard with F1 drivers, or grabbing a chest-mounted view of the game from the referee’s – or your favourite player’s – perspective.

Combine that with graphical overlays for game stats and scores from other matches and this is pretty exciting stuff. It just needs the rights, technical infrastructure, and interest from the audience – and I’m not sure how fast any of those things will arrive.

A big gaming focus

Well, obviously.

Virtual reality headsets like the one we’re expecting to see from Apple are primarily geared towards gaming for consumers – that has been the case for many years (decades, even).

The challenge Apple has is that, beyond the multitude of toilet-time-friendly screen-tappers, it has never really hit the big leagues of serious gaming.

That leaves one question: can an Apple-branded VR headset compete with the prowess of PlayStation VR2 and the many PC-based VR experiences which feature top-tier titles?

I need convincing, Tim.

External monitor support for your Mac

This is, potentially, a big one.

I’ve seen a few YouTube videos from people who have immersed themselves in virtual working environments thanks to VR and while it looks rather clumsy at times, there is something to be said for moving your entire workspace into the digital realm.

The biggest sticking point for this could be the battery life of Apple’s headset. Rumours suggest that the hardware could only offer around two hours of use on a single charge, which means you’ll need to either charge it far too regularly or keep it plugged in while using the headset as a monitor for your Mac.

That aside, I do like the idea of experiencing my Mac on an imaginary huge display in any location of my choosing. If that’s the way it’s intended to work, of course.

Video conferencing and virtual meeting rooms

We can expect ‘realistic avatars’ in Apple’s imaginary VR working space, apparently.

If that means a doubled-down focus on Memoji, I’m out.

VR-focused Fitness+

Now you’re talking.

I’m a big fan of Fitness+. Apple has put its money where its mouth is and created an ever-evolving fitness platform which is a genuine alternative to the gym and a brilliant companion for gymgoers.

The idea of moving Fitness+ into a VR world is, therefore, very exciting.

The challenge will be the headset itself. How heavy, awkward and sweaty will that thing be if you’re busting out a 45-minute cycle session?

Watching videos in virtual environments

Apple’s VR headset is expected to give users the ability to watch video content in a number of virtual locations.

Fancy catching up on your favourite Apple TV+ show in a desert or under the night sky? Well, your prayers might be answered later this year.

This does feel a bit gimmicky though, doesn’t it? Although the simple premise of just watching video content via a VR headset does appeal, I must admit.

Last word

The biggest takeaway for me today is that this mixed reality headset appears to be geared towards integration with the iPad – not the iPhone.

This is news to me. Unless I’ve grasped the wrong end of the stick, I was expecting Apple’s foray into full-on VR to be very much dependent on the iPhone, just like the Apple Watch.

What do you think about these rumours? Are they getting you excited for Apple’s next big thing?

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Main image courtesy of Ian Zelbo