Virtual reality

Apple expands virtual reality efforts as it hires developer of popular VR painting app

Chance Miller | Jul 30 2018 - 1:57 pm PT

As it continues to deepen its augmented and virtual reality ambitions, Apple has hired the developer of a popular painting app for VR headsets. According to a new report from Variety, the company has hired Sterling Crispin, the developer behind ‘Cyber Paint.’

The Cyber Paint application allows virtual reality users to create 2D and 360-degree pictures using a virtual reality headset. Currently, the application is available for the HTC Vive Focus, Oculus Go, and Google Day Dream.

Here’s how Cyber Paint is described on its website:

Paint with digital algorithms, trippy effects, glitchy data, and more traditional paint-like materials. Experience impossible colors only visible in VR by painting with different colors per-eye.

Paint with the rational magic of cyberspace in Cyber Paint.

Get Immersed – Create a 360 Photosphere, landscape, portrait, or square shaped painting.

See the impossible – See impossible colors by painting with different colors per-eye in Color Rivalry mode.

Take Control – Express the speed, rotation, touch and twist of your controller as brush size, opacity, color and more.

Express yourself – Travel to new worlds and paint what you see, or how you feel. Then share your cyber paintings with your friends!

Today’s report explains that Apple hired Crispin back in May as a “prototyping researcher,” as is evident by his LinkedIn profile. More specific details about his role are unclear, though he has extensive experience as a VR developer and user experience designer.

Apple has a clear interest in virtual reality and augmented reality. CEO Tim Cook has been vocally supportive of the technology, while reports have indicated that Apple is targeting the release of an augmented reality headset for 2020.