Apple Expected To Aggressively Work On Augmented And Virtual Reality In 2016

Samsung has already released multiple virtual reality headsets to show that it’s serious about this market while other companies are jumping on the bandwagon as well, HTC’s is parading its headset around before it launches the Vive in the coming year. Microsoft is keeping busy with HoloLens, an augmented reality device that ships to select developers in early 2016. It’s not like Apple to sit on the sidelines and let others take the lead which is why one analyst believes that Apple is going to be “very aggressive” in pursing opportunities in augmented and virtual reality technologies.

Daniel Ives of FBR & Co. writes in a note to investors that Apple will aggressively pursue both augmented and virtual reality in 2016, Ives is of the view that Apple is going to test the waters of this relatively young market through acquisitions and with new product development.

The analyst points out that augmented and virtual reality is a “natural next progression in consumer technology,” and in his belief the technology will work nicely with the iPhone ecosystem, making it a no-brainer for Apple to pursue these technologies and compete against the likes of Samsung, Microsoft and HTC.

It remains to be seen though what kind of products Apple comes up with, one can hardly expect the company to launch a mere VR headset and call it a day, so the possibility exists that Apple fans may have to wait for a few years before a VR or AR product arrives, then again it might be one that they find it hard to not spend their money on.

Adnan Farooqui
Categories: Apple
Tags: Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR)