14 DAY TRIAL // Apple is on a hiring spree with its eye on 3D and VR experiences, as the Mac maker has been spotted posting as many as three new job openings in these areas, following at least another similar job posting two weeks ago.
Around the 15th of November, the company was spotted seeking a 3D Perception/Computer Vision Algorithm Engineer, which immediately drew our attention as the job listing seemed to indicate huge plans for future GUIs. Then the company posted evidence that it was also looking into VR. This week, more such evidence emerged.
Taking on Virtual Reality
The Cupertino, California-based Apple Inc. appears to be heavily invested in VR technologies, similar to Oculus Rift.
One job opening states, “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.”
Another opening is for a Game Engineer with know-how not only in Virtual Reality but also in game engines. Apple wants this person 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.”
Several others, all posted at jobs.apple.com, point to similar plans. In all seriousness, Apple seems bent on entering the VR realm, either through software or hardware, or why not even both, considering its modus operandi.
Few, if any of these job listings, will be available in the coming hours, if they keep getting snagged in the fast-paced manner we’ve been witnessing for the past few days.
What does Apple want with VR?
It’s anybody’s guess. Ask Facebook what they have in mind with Oculus Rift and they too won’t be able to give you a straight answer. What we do know is that VR provides an experience that’s very similar to reality, which is always something of interest for any technology giant.
You don’t need to be a visionary to imagine gaming, social networking, and other kinky stuff we can think of being taken to new heights with Internet-connected VR hardware. Let’s not forget that Apple still sells a thing called Apple TV that runs iOS and has all the chances in the world to become a state-of-the-art media center, including a gaming console.
