what can Apple’s latest operating system actually do?
According to various rumors, Apple will introduce the long-awaited virtual reality headset during WWDC. The operating system of Apple’s headset is xrOS, but what can you do with it?
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xrOS: what can Apple’s latest operating system do?
We’ve been waiting for it for so long, but if we can believe the rumors, it will finally be here soon! At WWDC in June, Apple will unveil its newest hardware: the virtual reality headset.
In addition to the headset (which is called ‘Reality Pro’ in the corridors), Apple will also reveal the operating system. This operating system is most likely called ‘xrOS’ and it is Apple’s first new operating system since watchOS for the Apple Watch. But what can you expect from Apple’s xrOS? And what functions does it contain?
The different features of xrOS
Apple has several features planned for the headset with xrOS. According to news site Bloomberg, the features are very broad and include games, movies, fitness and meditation applications.
But the biggest question remains: how should you use the headset? According to the rumors, you mainly use voice commands via Siri. In addition, you can also use the iPhone, iPad or a Mac.
Another way Apple uses to make as many apps as possible available for xrOS is to use iPad apps. Several sources say that Apple plans to allow many of the iPad apps, even if the app has not received specific changes for xrOS.
Do you have a Mac? Then you can also use the virtual reality glasses as a kind of extra screen for macOS. This way you can view the screen of your Mac with the glasses, and still use your trackpad, mouse or keyboard.
Other rumors say that anyone with xrOS (and Siri) can create their own Augmented Reality content. Horizon Worlds on Meta’s Quest headset has a similar feature. Users can create their own 3D environments there without having to program anything themselves.
In addition, FaceTime will also play a prominent role in Apple’s xrOS, according to BloomBerg. Apple has already prepared a new version of FaceTime for the headset, which can show a ‘realistic face of the user in virtual reality’.
VR and AR
With the headset you can switch between Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR). This will probably also be an important part of xrOS. When you are in VR mode, xrOS will completely immerse you in the virtual world.
By turning or pressing the Digital Crown, the glasses will switch to the AR view and the virtual world will gradually make way for the real world. But here you can use virtual objects (with the help of AR). Other features you can also expect to see in Apple’s xrOS include VR versions of familiar apps (think Safari, Photos, Mail, Pages, Keynote, and more).
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