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Apple Headset: Leaks show possible components and "realityOS"

Apple Headset: Leaks show possible components and
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March 17, 2023:

The term "realityOS" appears in Apples official open source code.

Update March 17, 2023:

The rumors about Apple's XR headset continue to mount. After leaked photos of possible ribbon cables, Apple itself is now the source of a leak: This time, developers found the term "realityOS" in the official source code. This is presumably the operating system for Apple's planned VR and AR headsets. The term and variations like "rOS" or "xrOS" have been leaked before.

It was Twitter user Aaron who noticed the lines of code in the developer tools that Apple makes available on GitHub. A search of the latest open source code also turned up the term. There, it is mentioned next to other platforms such as iOS, macOS, and WatchOS (for the Apple Watch).

The corresponding lines refer to "realityOS", the platform codename "wolf" and "reality simulator". Similar to other Apple systems, the latter should allow developers to test applications on the platform. Beyond that, the discovered lines provide no new insights.

However, their discovery is another indication of an upcoming unveiling, which is said to take place at this year's WWDC.

Original article from March 14, 2023:

Apple's headset is on its way to freedom, and it's practically already on the shelves.

The protected Twitter account "MrWhite128" has published images of ribbon cables that can be folded into a headset shape. Another image shows a cable with three sections that could hold cameras or other sensors. Apple's XR headset is said to have more than ten cameras integrated for external and internal video tracking.

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Image: MrWhite128 via Twitter

Image: MrWhite128 via Twitter

Image: MrWhite128 via Twitter

Image: MrWhite128 via Twitter

Although the Twitter account does not explicitly mention it, the suspicion that these are components of the Apple headset is obvious. MrWhite also posted sunglasses emoticons next to the pictures. According to MacRumors, the Twitter account has published accurate information about Apple hardware prototypes in the past.

Apple headset finally in sight

Rumors about Apple's headset have been around for years, but never before has the density of leaks been as high and as concrete as it has been in recent months - and they all point to a launch this year, after the unveiling in late 2022 or early 2023 was briefly pushed back to WWDC this summer.

According to a recent leak, the multiple delays were also due to differing internal perspectives on the product: While Apple's operations unit wanted to release a headset based on current technical capabilities, the industrial design team reportedly pushed to delay the release until the design of the device met Apple's high standards.

In the end, Apple CEO Tim Cook reportedly sided with the operational unit and ordered a launch for this year, also with the perspective that the new device will be the first entirely new class of devices in its era.

Sources: MacRumors, 9to5Mac