Apple scoops up Spaces, a VR startup

Apple has acquired Spaces, a VR startup that begin as a DreamWorks animation project, reports Protocol. The company describes its services as “a bridge between a VR world and Zoom, Skype, Hangouts, and more.”

Spaces tells visitors to its website that it’s “heading in a new direction,” without revealing details. However, its added: ”Thank you to our users and partners who participated in our awesome VR video conferencing product and the many people who enjoyed our VR location-based entertainment attractions found at theme parks, theaters, and more.”

The startup co-founded by Brad Herman and Shiraz Akmal originally spun their work out of Dreamworks in 2015 and previously built out location-based VR attractions, like one for Terminator Salvation. However, like the broader world, VR arcades everywhere started closing their doors in March following orders from governments seeking to slow the spread of COVID-19. 

Protocol notes that it’s unclear whether the Spaces team will actually work on VR at Apple.