According to a new report, a future version of the Apple Store app could feature an augmented reality feature that enables users to point their iPhones at a product, such as a Mac or Apple Watch, in an Apple Store and instantly receive more details about pricing and specifications in an overlay on their screen.
Apple to integrate augmented reality with the Apple Store app
In the last edition of his “Power On,” newsletter for Bloomberg, Mark Gurman revealed that Apple is working on an updated version of the Apple Store app to include augmented reality features that turn on when a user enters one of its retail locations. Customers would be able to point their iPhones at a product, such as an Apple Watch band or a Mac, and a graphic would appear on the screen with further details about the object’s features and price.
If the service debuts in the near future, it would be one of Apple’s most significant AR-related launches to date — and a taste of what’s to come with the headset.
According to Gurman, the Cupertino tech giant started developing the feature prior to the release of iOS 14 in 2020. In recent months, testing for the service has been ramped up and expanded to Apple’s retail locations. To allow other retail outlets to benefit from it as well, the feature would come with an API for developers.
On the topic of augmented reality, in the same newsletter, Gurman revealed that Apple is ready to launch its first mixed-reality headset, a product that has been in development for seven years. Apple plans to debut the headset in the spring ahead of WWDC in June under the name Reality Pro. Developers will be given extra information and resources about the headset at WWDC and the device will be available for purchase in the fall of this year.
Hardware prototypes have already been given to a select set of developers for testing. Gurman asserts that the product is far from done and that Apple still needs to work out a few “kinks” in the hardware and software.
