Apple Awarded Design Patent For Samsung Gear VR-like VR Headset

Apple iPhone owners could soon be playing games in virtual reality. According to the latest reports, Apple has been awarded a patent for an iPhone VR headset.

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has awarded Apple a patent for a Virtual Reality (VR) headset that would allow the iPhone to use as a display. It sounds similar to the Gear VR which uses the Galaxy Note 4 as the display. The patent also describes a remote which can be used to control the virtual reality headset.

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Interestingly, Apple originally filed for this patent back in 2008 which means the company had this idea long before Samsung launched the Gear VR. Even if Apple has been granted a patent, Apple won't be the first company to ever produce a virtual reality headset. Google, Microsoft, LG, Sony and Oculus are seeking possibilities in the virtual reality space.

Rival Sony already unveiled its Project Morpheus for the PlayStation 4 back in March, though there's currently no word on a consumer release. Samsung recently launched its Gear VR device, which connects to the Galaxy Note 4 to provide immersive 3D experiences. Even LG has managed to come up with a Google Cardboard-like headset that uses the company's flagship smartphone as the display.

The virtual reality and augmented reality space has become rather important in the tech space over the couple of months. As the technology continues to be developed, more advanced virtual reality headsets and apps are likely to be released in the market.

Source - Appleinsider