Apple takes a step towards its own version of Google Glass

There’s long been murmurs about Apple making its own augmented reality glasses, like Google Glass, and its latest acquisition is another step towards that.

Apple has acquired Denver-based AR lens startup Akonia Holographics, according to a report by Reuters.

Founded in 2012, the startup focused on holographic data storage before shifting to smart glass technologies. 

Akonia’s HoloMirror smart glass utilises a single layer of media, and the company boasts “ultra-clear, full-color performance … [enabling] the thinnest, lightest head worn displays in the world.”

In a statement to Reuters, an Apple spokesperson (as per usual) didn’t give much away: “Apple buys smaller companies from time to time, and we generally don’t discuss our purpose or plans.”

An executive in the AR industry told the outlet that Akonia had become “very quiet” in the six months leading to the acquisition, indicating the deal happened earlier this year.

Back in April, CNET reported Apple was working on a combination AR/VR headset with the codename “T288,” supporting both AR and VR apps, that would launch by 2020.

Each lens would reportedly feature an 8K display per eye, for a total resolution of 16K. That would eclipse the likes of current VR rivals Oculus Rift and the HTC Vive, which both only have 1,080 x 1,200 resolution per eye.

Of course, it’s still early days, and Apple’s headset dreams might just stay that way.