A new Apple patent filing (number 20200304619 is for a “head-mounted apparatus for retaining a portable electronic device with display.” This would back up the rumors that the Apple Glasses — an augmented reality/virtual reality/mixed reality head-mounted display — will require interaction with an iPhone to work (although other reports disagree; more on that below).
The patent filing involves ways to connect and disconnect the two devices. The iPhone could be physically coupled to the HMD such that the smartphone could be worn on the user’s head.
The iPhone could be operatively coupled to the head-mounted device such that it and the Apple Glasses could communicate and operate with one another. Each device may be allowed to extend its features and/or services to the other device for the purpose of enhancing, increasing and/or eliminating redundant functions between the head-mounted device and the portable electronic device.
When it comes to Apple Glasses, such a device will arrive next year or 2022, depending on which rumor you believe. It will be a head-mounted display. Or may have a design like “normal” glasses. Or it may be available in both. The Apple Glasses may or may not have to be tethered to an iPhone to work. Other rumors say that Apple Glasses could have a custom-build Apple chip and a dedicated operating system dubbed “rOS” for “reality operating system.”
