Apple acquiert la startup de casque AR Mira : rapport

Apple has acquired Mira, a Los Angeles-based AR startup that makes headsets for other companies and the US military, the Verge reported on Tuesday, citing a post from Mira CEO's private Instagram account and a person familiar with the matter.

Cela survient un jour après qu'Apple a dévoilé un coûteux casque de réalité augmentée appelé Vision Pro, l'un de ses paris les plus risqués depuis l'introduction de l'iPhone il y a plus de dix ans, faisant irruption sur un marché dominé par les méta-plateformes.

Apple's headset will test a market crowded with devices that have yet to gain traction with consumers and put it in direct competition with Facebook-owner Meta after years of clashes between the companies over issues like user privacy and control of developer platforms.

Mira's military contracts include a small agreement with the US Air Force and a $702,351 agreement with the Navy, according to government records and press releases, the Verge report said.

The Verge a ajouté qu'Apple avait confirmé l'acquisition en disant qu'il achetait de temps en temps de petites entreprises technologiques et ne discutait généralement pas de son objectif ou de ses plans.

Apple has brought on at least 11 of Mira's employees as part of the acquisition, according to the report.

Apple, Mira and its CEO Ben Taft did not immediately respond to Reuters' requests for comment.

Last month, Apple said it has entered a multi-billion-dollar deal with chipmaker Broadcom to use chips made in the United States.

Under the multi-year deal, Broadcom will develop 5G radio frequency components with Apple that will be designed and built in several US facilities, including Fort Collins, Colorado, where Broadcom has a major factory, Apple said.

© Thomson Reuters 2023