Apple has filed and been awarded a patent for a head-mounted virtual reality headset that uses an iPhone as the display and computer of the device.
The patent shows a product that is very similar to Google Cardboard and Samsung Gear VR but would be built to specifically accommodate an iPhone.
"The frame may place a display screen of the portable electronic device in front of the user's eyes," reads the patent. "The display screen of the portable electronic device may act as the primary display screen of the head-mounted device."
While it would be easy to assume that this is almost exactly the same thing as Google Cardboard, the patent was actually first filed back in 2008, suggesting that Apple has been thinking about this kind of virtual reality headset for a long time -- before we saw Google Cardboard.
The patent also takes Cardboard a step further by including electronics in the headset that could dictate to the iPhone that it is time to change into VR mode. The headset would include spare batteries for extra power, physical buttons for extra control, a cooling system and additional onboard storage for media.
A number of third-party companies have designed and built Google Cardboard-like headsets specifically for the iPhone, but one released by Apple would far outsell these third-party offerings. It would also likely be much more stable and would spur a fresh wave of virtual reality apps and content.
Despite this, just because a patent has been released doesn't mean that we should expect a virtual reality offering from the company anytime soon. Apple has not shown any interest in virtual reality yet. Some suggest, however, that it is only a matter of time before Apple will be forced to enter the virtual reality market as the technology becomes more and more popular. Apple is one of the few major smartphone makers that have not released anything related to virtual reality yet.
In fact, job postings have been spotted in November and again last week that suggest that Apple is looking for developers to work on virtual reality systems and content. Other job postings show Apple looking for experts with experience in developing for the Oculus Rift.
It's important to remember, however, that Apple regularly researches and develops for markets that it never ends up entering. Not only that but Apple spokespeople have, at multiple times, said that the face is not a good place for technology, as it is too intrusive.
