The AR Features For iOS 9k Look Likely As Apple Inc. Hires Microsoft HoloLens Engineer

It was recently that a Piper Jaffray analyst, Gene Munster, pointed out that Apple had hired Nick Thompson, an ex-Microsoft HoloLens engineer. According to Munster, Mr. Thompson’s LinkedIn profile listed him as an engineer at Apple.

This suggests that Apple could have an AR product in the works now that Thompson is on-board. Since September 2012, Thompson was the HoloLens Audio Hardware Engineering Lead. It is likely that Apple is putting together a team to help structure probable AR projects.

Munster said: “We believe AR audio is often thought of as not important or secondary to the experience, however, we believe positional audio is what sells the experience and convinces the user there is a real object in front of you or behind you. The ability to re-create sound coming from a distinct location and changes based on proximity and direction of the object should not be overlooked."

This isn’t the first time that Munster has laid light on Apple’s interest in AR. Munster has also pointed out that Apple acquired Metaio; the person who owns 171 patents of Augmented Reality; thanks to this, Apple would land in 11th spot in number of AR and head-mounted display patents held. Currently, Google, Microsoft, Sony, and Samsung, all lie ahead of Apple.

Munster also claims that Apple also poached an audio engineer who previously worked at the HoloLens augmented reality headset.

via TNT