Apple neemt AR Headset Startup Mira over: 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.

Dit komt een dag nadat Apple een kostbare augmented-reality-headset onthulde, de Vision Pro, een van de meest risicovolle weddenschappen sinds de introductie van de iPhone meer dan tien jaar geleden, en betrad hij een markt die wordt gedomineerd door metaplatforms.

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 voegde eraan toe dat Apple de overname had bevestigd door te zeggen dat het van tijd tot tijd kleinere technologiebedrijven koopt en over het algemeen het doel of de plannen ervan niet bespreekt.

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