Amidst Massive Tech Layoffs, Apple is Hyping its AR/VR Hiring

Apple job listings and patents hint at a foray into the '3D mixed-reality world'

Amidst massive tech layoffs, tech giant Apple seems to be focusing on the development of a metaverse-sounding "3D mixed-reality world," these assumptions are on the basis of related patent filings and recent job postings.

Since the first week of November, more than 30 jobs have been listed on Apple's careers page related to augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR) with the Big Tech player seeking a combination of software and hardware developers to be mostly based in its Technology Development Group (TDG). Technology Development Group is a secretive team within Apple that may reportedly stem as far back as 2017, which is understood to be working on developing AR and VR technology. Apple has not ever yet officially confirmed such a device was in the works, though it is largely considered a tech industry "open secret," but it is very clear that AR/VR hiring in Apple is going on which has accelerated the demand for the particular industry.

Presently, the tech giant Apple is hyping its AR/VR hiring with over 150 positions, as per its careers page and one particular job opening from August has a particular mention of a type of "3D mixed-reality world." The job adds for an AR/VR network engineer, with part of the description reading being circulated by Apple. A report mentioning unnamed sources revealed that an Apple AR/VR headset will be assembled by Taiwanese electronics firm Pegatron, it is a company Apple presently uses for its iPhone 14 device — with mass production expected in the first quarter of 2023.

A spokesperson for Pegatron said that it was "not able to comment on information related to a specific customer or product due to confidentiality" and Apple also denied to comment. Meanwhile, patent filings from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) discloses in August that Apple trademarked Reality One and Reality Pro, both described as "photographic and optical apparatus and instruments" and "virtual and augmented reality headsets, goggles, and glasses." The filings were made under a Delaware shell company called Immersive Health Solutions LLC, a tactic often used by large companies such as Apple in an attempt to keep their future product plans private.