Bloomberg is reporting that Apple’s “Reality Pro” mixed reality headset will debut this spring with shipments beginning this fall. It will run on a new operating system called “xrOS,” which has already been distributed to select developers. Even though this is a Bloomberg report, it’s still considered a rumor and Apple has not commented.

There are several ways to visualize a combination of batch and streaming or real-time data: augmented reality (AR), where data visualization is superimposed on your field of vision; mixed reality (MR) or extended reality (XR), where data visualization is mixed with virtual objects and haptics to create the illusion of an extended reality; and virtual reality (VR), where the data is used to create an all-encompassing virtual world. Rumors have Reality Pro sitting somewhere in the MR/XR range, but again: no comment from Apple.

No matter what Apple debuts this year, it will be game-changing. We have reached the limit of what we can do with smartphones. While there is always room for improvement, they are as big and bright and beautiful as they need to be. Eyewear is next. I can’t wait!

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