Apple trademarks xrOS name for its mixed reality headset. Launch Soon

“XR” stands for eXtended Reality, a term for headsets that are compatible with both VR (virtual reality) and AR (augmented reality). VR creates pure CGI environments, and AR overlays data and images in the real world.

Headsets like the Meta Quest 2 are mostly focused on VR with a little AR overlay. The new Quest Pro is better at AR, and Microsoft's HoloLens and Google's Glass are AR focused. Other big names include Valve and HTC, and Sony, which is already accepting pre-orders for PSVR2. This will be Apple's first new market segment since the launch of the Apple Watch in 2015. It was far from the first smartwatch, but it was a huge success. It had more net sales than the iPad and was not far behind the Mac.

Gurman reports that the headset will have its own app store and its own versions of Apple's core apps like Messages and Maps. It also has tools for VR collaboration and a VR version of FaceTime.

Apple already has AR experience with its LiDAR-equipped iPhones and iPads, which can 3D scan their surroundings and insert virtual objects. Early reports claimed that Apple would use LiDAR for the XR headset as well.

As for the headset names, Apple trademarked Reality One and Reality Pro a few months ago. It's not clear if the name will change to match the new OS brand, though it's possible Apple will return to "realityOS" for its software platform.