Internal Build of iOS 13 Reveals Apple is Still Working on AR Glasses/Headset

An internal build of iOS 13 reveals that Apple is still working on a head-mounted augmented reality display, reports MacRumors.

The site has obtained a build of iOS 13 that includes a 'STARTester' app that can switch in and out of a head-mounted mode. This likely allows users to replicate the functionality of an AR headset for testing. There's two head-mounted states - "worn" and "held".

A readme file describes a system shell for stereo AR enabled apps:


There is also an internal README file in iOS 13 that describes a "StarBoard" system shell for stereo AR-enabled apps, which implies a headset of some kind. The file also suggests Apple is developing an augmented reality device codenamed "Garta," possibly as one of several prototypes under the "T288" umbrella.

There are numerous references to StarBoard mode in iOS 13. These strings reference "views" and "scenes", for example: "ARStarBoardViewController" and "ARStarBoardSceneManager".

Last year, CNET reported that Apple was working on a headset for AR and virtual reality. It purportedly has an 8K display for each eye and is slated for release in 2020.

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