Apple's first VR headset could be called "Reality One"
Apple has probably registered several brand names for an upcoming mixed reality headset. The device is expected to hit the market in 2023.
Business publication Bloomberg reports trademark applications for "Reality One," "Reality Pro" and "Reality Processor." Applications have been filed in the US, EU, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, Costa Rica and Uruguay.
The trademarks were applied for by the shell company Immersive Health Solutions, which was founded in February. It was registered by another shell company called Corporation Trust, which already applied for the trademark rights for "realityOS" a few months ago.
The lawsuit started in Canada in February and continued in other countries in August. It is supported by well-known law firms, which Apple has already used on previous occasions. So it's quite possible that Apple is behind the trademark applications.
Apple is probably betting on "Reality"
If this is indeed the case, Apple's first headset could be called "Reality One". "Reality Pro" could be reserved for a technically better-equipped future version of the device. Apple leaker Mark Gurman reports that the headset is sometimes called "Reality" internally. The device is supposed to be able to handle both virtual reality and augmented reality, so it makes sense not to specify further in the naming.
The name "Reality Processor" could refer to a specialized VR/AR chip in the headset, which Gurman says is based on an M2 with 16 gigabytes of RAM. The operating system in turn, according to previous trademark filings, could be called "RealityOS" in line with the rest of the naming.
The trademarks have not yet been approved. Apple could also have applied for other brand names. So it's not yet clear what name the device will end up with.
The headset will probably launch next year
Supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo expects Apple to unveil the headset in January 2023. For Apple, it would be the first wholly new hardware category since the Apple Watch in 2015.
Development of the headset has been bumpy, with a two-part report from The Information in May highlighting the numerous design challenges Apple faced leading up to 2018 and beyond. As late as 2022, the headset reportedly had overheating issues, which is why the market launch was delayed.
The device is reportedly packed with sensors and high-end technology and will cost between $2,000 and $3,000. A second, cheaper version is also said to be in development and could be launched in 2024.
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