Apple is reportedly making a ‘combined VR and AR headset’ for gaming

Apple is reportedly creating a combined virtual reality and augmented reality headset with a focus on gaming, watching video and virtual meetings.

The product is scheduled to launch in 2021 or 2022, followed by a pair of AR glasses in 2023, according to Bloomberg, which corroborates some details from an earlier report by The Information (subscriber only).

The Information claims the product launch timelines were discussed during an internal presentation at Apple’s Cupertino, California headquarters in October.

Bloomberg reports that about 1,000 engineers are working on the company’s AR and VR teams, which are led by Apple VP Mike Rockwell.

The upcoming VR and AR hardware is said to be underpinned by a 3D sensor system which will debut in a new iPad Pro model scheduled for release in 2020 and more expensive iPhones towards the end of next year.

The 3D sensor, which is described as a more advanced version of the Face ID sensor featured on current Apple mobile devices, reportedly enables users to create 3D reconstructions of places, things and people.

It was claimed earlier this month that Apple is collaborating with Valve to develop AR headsets.

According to Taiwanese website DigiTimes, Apple began transitioning from in-house development of AR glasses to collaborative development with Valve over the summer.

Citing industry sources, the report claimed Apple’s AR headset “may be released in the second half of 2020 at the earliest, with Taiwan’s ODMs Quanta Computer and Pegatron said to handle the assembly job”.