Update: Apple removed the job listings, but we have screenshots below.
Following our discovery that Apple was looking to hire app engineers to build virtual reality experiences, new job listings give us more insight into its interest in building VR gaming experiences and “cinematic user interfaces” for future Apple products.
Play a part in the next revolution in user experience by delivering cinematic user interfaces and simplifying human interface in fundamental ways. Build a team to develop new user interaction solutions, while working on innovative products… This engineer will create high performance apps that integrate with Virtual Reality systems for prototyping and user testing.
Apple has several new job listings on its website that give us more details about what it plans for virtual reality including a big focus on gaming. One job listing, for instance, is looking for a Game Engineer with experience in virtual reality and the latest game engines to “develop software combining state-of-the-art physics-based world simulation, visuals and Virtual Reality to enable Apple’s development of next-generation product.”
Another job listing seeking an app engineer hints again at gaming by requiring someone familiar with development on third-party virtual reality platforms Oculus Rift and Leap Motion.
A third new job listing is looking for a Virtual Reality/Augmented Reality Programmer who also has experience with game engines like Unity and Unreal.
We noted in our previous report that Apple has been experimenting with what appears to be virtual reality hardware of sorts for quite some time. An Apple patent popped up last year showing what looks a lot like an Oculus Rift-style headset described as a “goggle system for providing a personal media viewing experience”:
Apple hasn’t shown much interest in virtual reality despite a number of devices available for its own hardware from third parties. Several standalone experiences exist to compete with the hardcore gaming-focused Oculus Rift, while others, like Google’s recently launched Cardboard experiment, Pinc, and Samsung’s Gear VR, utilize an existing mobile device to offer a less expensive, casual experience. How Apple might implement its own VR experience into its existing or future products, we’ll have to wait and see.
Earlier this year a report claimed that Apple was developing 3D iPhone display tech and software that doesn’t require the use of special glasses.
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The future is wide open for them to create new groundbreaking products that reforge the technology landscape.
…at an extremely outrageous price!
This might be them wanting to use VR to build products, and test them, rather than want to release a VR product for consumers.
A company like Coca Cola likely use this to test what their product would look like on a shelf for example.
Right – “for prototyping and user testing” is the key phrase. Apple did purchase PrimeSense awhile back, and rumors still indicate that the Apple TV might have a 3D, gesture-based UI. Maybe this engineer will be in charge of the prototyping and virtual mockups .
Fig 8A – point 802 – Ripped off Apple customer