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Journalism of Courage
Apple has recently filed a patent for a simple head-mounted display that you can insert your iPhone into. While the device is yet to move beyond the patent stage, it could one day offer a cheaper and easier way to experience VR than the upcoming Apple Vision Pro, which costs a whopping $3,499.
The patent, which is the 17th one of its kind, describes a pair of glasses that can hold your phone in front of your eyes. The phone then acts as the main screen, displaying VR content. This is similar to how Samsung’s Gear VR works, although Apple did file patents for this concept long before Gear VR was launched.
But Apple’s device is not just a glorified phone holder. It also has some interesting features that could make it more versatile and user-friendly. For example, it could come with a remote control that lets you change what you see on the screen, or a touch sensor that lets you adjust the volume by sliding your finger on the glasses.
Another proposed feature is the external viewing mode, which allows you to see the real world through the glasses. This could solve one of the main problems of VR and AR: feeling isolated from your surroundings. The Apple Vision Pro also has this feature, but it uses advanced cameras and sensors to create a realistic view of the environment.
The patent does not mean that Apple is definitely going to make this device, but it shows that it is exploring different ways to make VR more accessible and appealing to the masses. VR and AR are still very expensive technologies, and not everyone can afford or justify buying them. But if Apple can offer a simpler and cheaper alternative that uses your existing phone, it could attract more people to try out VR and get hooked on it for the future.
