It seems that Apple is indeed working on a pair of augmented-reality headset or glasses, if the references found in an internal build of iOS 13 is anything to go by.
That's despite previous reports that say the Cupertino brand had been put on hold.
Apple's AR Headset Or Glasses
As reported by MacRumors, it came across documentation in the code for iOS 13 that hint at the development of an AR wearable.
For starters, it discovered a "STARTester" app that can go into a "head-mounted mode," which could be a method to simulate an AR headset that Apple is using for testing purposes. According to the news outlet, there are two states: "worn" and "held."
MacRumors also found in an internal README file that indicates a "StarBoard" system shell that's used for stereo AR apps. Last but not least, it even mentioned an AR device with the code name "Garta," which is likely among the prototypes related to the T288.
Other lines of code in the iOS 13 internal build include things like "StarBoard mode" and a variety of views and scenes. References such as "ARStarBoardViewController" and "ARStarBoardSceneManager" were also in the mix, all of which point to an AR device underway.
Previous Reports
It's unclear what exactly Apple has up its sleeves, but sources such as the notable Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo and other reports in the past say that the company is looking to launch its AR headset or glasses sometime in 2020.
In the same vein, the specifications and capabilities of the device are still in the dark. It was previously reported to boast an 8K display for each eye and capable of combining AR and virtual reality without the aid of a smartphone or computer. However, recent reports say that it'll be relying on an iPhone or something along those lines.
