Report: Apple’s Mixed Reality Headset Will Support “Millions” of iPad Apps

Apple’s upcoming mixed-reality headset will reportedly be able to run iPad apps in addition to software designed from the ground up for the new device. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, adding support for iPad apps on the headset should allow Apple to avoid the app gap problem that usually plagues the launch of a new software platform.

“A big part of the effort is adapting iPad apps for the new headset, which blends virtual and augmented reality,” the report reads.” Users will be able to access millions of existing apps from third-party developers via the new 3D interface, according to the people, who asked not to be identified because the plans are still under wraps.”

According to the report, Apple will be optimizing its own core apps including FaceTime and the Apple TV app, and their features “will look similar to their iPad counterparts.” Apple is also said to be working on an optimized version of its Books app that let users read Books in VR.

On the productivity front, the company’s Freeform collaboration app that launched on iOS, iPadOS, and macOS last year is also expected to ship on the new mixed reality headset. More established Apple productivity apps such as Pages, Numbers, Keynote, iMovie, and GarageBand are also expected to be there on launch.

On the wellness front, Apple is said to be working on a VR version of its Fitness+ app, as well as a new meditation app TV app featuring “calming graphics, sounds and voice-overs.” Apple’s TV app will also reportedly let users watch videos in a more calming virtual environment.

Bloomberg believes that Apple will officially unveil its mixed reality headset, which could be named “Reality Pro”, at its WWDC developer conference in June. The report also says that Apple has been helping a small number of app developers to optimize their existing iPad apps for the new headset, which isn’t expected to launch until later this year at the earliest.