Apple CEO Tim Cook has previously confirmed that the company is working on AR technology. Now, it seems that the maker of iPhones is inching closer to its AR hardware, in collaboration with Carl Zeiss.
Robert Scoble, technologist and former futurist at Rackspace notes in a Facebook post that Zeiss is working with Apple on a light pair of AR glasses. This follows a Bloomberg report in November that claimed Apple to have commenced testing near-field displays used in AR/VR glasses. Scoble predicts that we may see the product this year, while Bloomberg thinks the device won't arrive before 2018.
Over the past two years, Apple has acquired two startups focused on AR technology, and Cook has been vocal about his enthusiasm towards immersive technology. While Google has its Daydream platform for VR and Tango for AR, Apple is yet to showcase similar technology for iPhones.
Microsoft is the only technology company to have working AR glasses out for developers in the form of HoloLens. Magic Leap, a Silicon Valley startup funded by Google, is reportedly developing similar glasses with wider field of view, although its hype has died by a fair margin.
The AR industry is still niche, and Apple will face challenges producing content and get developers onboard.