Oliver Haslam·

Apple’s Rumored AR/VR Headset Gets A Software Name Change

Apple’s rumored AR/VR headset has had a software name change, according to a new report.

Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reports that internally Apple has changed the name of the software that the headset will run. It was previously expected to be called realityOS, but sources tell Gurman that it is now called xrOS.

Gurman says that the change in name is “a nod to the headset’s mixed-reality capabilities.” XR stands for extended reality, he says, noting that it includes both AR and VR technology.

That use of mixed reality will allow the headset to overlay software on the real world, while dedicated VR apps will also be supported, Gurman says.

The mixed-reality operating system will offer new versions of core apps — like Messages and Maps — and will work with a software development kit that third parties can use to create their own apps and games.

It’s also thought that a shell company called Deep Dive LLC has begun to trademark xrOS in a number of countries in an attempt to secure the name for future use. If that’s the case, it seems likely that xrOS will be the publicly-facing name of the software, rather than just a codename being used inside Apple.

As for when the new headset will be available, that’s still likely to be in 2023. The headset could be called reality One or Reality Pro based on filings, with a price expected to be north of $2,000.

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