We are still waiting for confirmation on that Mixed Reality headset from Apple. Meanwhile, the company is sharing details about its integrated HomePod plans that would look uninspiring but for one simple fact – they feature an Apple Mixed Reality headset.
Before we rush any further, it is important to note that such technology is not yet in the Apple pipeline, but is sure in the company plans. Apple’s work on home automation is well documented and considered the “stuff of future”. Taking form of array speakers, a HomePod device will house Siri and let users control lights, appliances, and many other in-home devices. As the Apple patent figures show, the well-known home automation picture is enriched by an unexpected addition of Mixed Reality headset, presumably from Apple themselves.
The central idea behind Home Automation Hub is communication between electronic devices for a more convenient interaction. All these electronics are centered around a hub, speaker array in this case, that facilitates their work. Where Apple Mixed Reality headset fits in this picture is rather interesting. MR headset will be there to help users, so to say, facilitate the facilitator; or overlay a virtual user interface atop the HomePod device and offer easier interaction with more controls. ‘The wearable display (A.K.A. Apple Mixed Reality Headset) can take the form of augmented reality or virtual reality googles that present digital content to a user’, Apple confirms the plans. ‘When a wearable display is an augmented reality display, it can overlay various control interfaces around array speaker’.
The idea is in its patent application stage, the patent filed back a year ago. This means that consumers will have to be patient as to when they’ll get hands on it. Still, the patent publication is very much of interest if we are to discern the path Apple is taking. Not only can we, reasonable doubt nonetheless, confirm that Apple Mixed Reality headset features the (confirmed) home automation plans, but also have a go at how the two will combine together. For instance, ran through MR interface, embodiments will likely have a greater degree of options
For instance, it is not hard to imagine users being able to control audio output via virtual equalizer or control it relative to specific regions in the house. User interface can take form of a floorplan with speaker drives clearly marked. Moreover, the HomePod/speaker array could feature optical sensors to locate the listeners and adjust the output according to that. The communication between MR headset and HomePod can run both ways. Headset could receive optical commands and adjust, or change the user interface at hand.
We could run through many of these applications, but point of the matter is that the addition of Mixed Reality boosts the potential of home automation systems by some margin. And Apple is aware of that. They are also aware that there is opportune moment for such technology to see the light. As things stand, Apple will have the first shot at this, and they know they better get it right.
