- Secretive XDG team working on pioneering technologies
- Future AR/VR headsets to aid people with eye diseases
- Prescription lenses support expected on first "Reality Pro" headset
Apple is exploring technologies that would allow its future AR/VR headsets to assist users with eye sight issues, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman latest Power On newsletter.
Gurman explains that Apple’s covert Exploratory Design Group has a number of cutting-edge technologies in early development, including novel display technologies, AI research, and work on AR/VR headsets that should help people with sight complications.
Accessibility for Apple devices has always been a priority for the company. Apple invests heavily in software that allows its devices to be accessible to everyone. Its most recent headline accessibility feature is Voice Control, which allows people with motor issues to completely navigate their devices using only voice commands.
Apple’s first AR/VR headset is set to come with a pass-through mode that would impose virtual objects on the user’s real environment, thus aiding those who are legally blind or have other sight issues in navigating their surroundings. The headset is also expect to support prescription lenses to be mounted directly inside the device.
Beyond support for prescription lenses, rumors have not indicated specific accessibility settings targeted for “Reality Pro”. However, Apple would like to make its first headset as accommodating as possible in a similar manner to the rest of its devices.