Apple is almost certainly working on “Apple Glasses,” a VR/AR device more akin in size to traditional eyeglasses than the bulky Vision Pro.
We’re not likely to see such a device for a few more years, but Apple has filed for a patent that hints at eyeglasses that work in tandem with an iPhone. The patent filing is dubbed “Head-Mounted Display Apparatus For Retaining A Portable Electronic Device With Display.”
About the patent filing
The patent filing is directed to a head-mounted device (Apple Glasses) constructed to receive a portable electronic device having a screen (and iPhone). Such a configuration would allow the user to view media on a private display, while the media is provided by a personal handheld device.
In the patent filing Apple notes that sometimes, however, a wired connection may be inconvenient and cumbersome for the user in certain situations (e.g., the user must separately hold multiple devices and deal with cables). In addition to being unwieldy, the coupled system often utilizes redundant features, which are not necessary when using the devices together. By way of example, each device utilizes a display screen, which adds cost, size, weight, and complexity to the entire system.
Apple says there’s a need for an improved head-mounted display system, particularly a system that temporarily integrates or merges both mechanically and electronically a head-mounted device with a portable electronic device.
Summary of the patent filing
Here’s Apple’s abstract of the patent filing: “Head-mounted display systems and methods of operation that allow users to couple and decouple a portable electronic device such as a handheld portable electronic device with a separate head-mounted device (e.g., temporarily integrates the separate devices into a single unit) are disclosed. The portable electronic may be physically coupled to the head-mounted device such that the portable electronic device can be worn on the user’s head.
“The portable electronic device may be operatively coupled to the head-mounted device such that the portable electronic device and head mounted device can 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.”
