Apple iPhone 8 AR (augmented reality) feature may push through: Apple CEO a big fan of AR

More details keep coming about the iPhone 8 with each passing day. Apple fans are expecting great things on the Cupertino, California-based tech titan’s next smartphone, especially since this year marks the 10th anniversary of the iPhone. A new report suggests that the upcoming iPhone 8 may include AR (augmented reality) support, which adds to the already long list of its projected features.

Apple is expected to release a special edition iPhone to commemorate the decade-long dominance of its iconic smartphone. The company will most likely boost the special edition iPhone with lots of features never before seen on previous models, but if the new report about the AR feature turns out to be true, it would the ultimate difference maker that shall separate the 10th anniversary Apple handset from its older siblings.

According to Benzinga, Goldman Sachs analyst Simona Jankowski hinted that Apple is heading towards augmented reality with the upcoming iPhone. Jankowski reportedly said that “the inclusion of 3D sensing functionality is increasingly likely, which could enable a robust augmented reality (AR) feature set that we believe will be a key differentiator for the 10-year anniversary iPhone.”

A report also came out last week which indicated that Apple is collaborating with Lumentum, a manufacturer of innovative optical and photonic products including equipment and components with 3D sensing technology. Lumentum reportedly talked about a “high volume mobile device application” during its most recent earnings conference call, which could turn out to be the upcoming iPhone’s ultimate feature.

Further adding fuel to the iPhone AR fire is the fact that Apple CEO Tim Cook is a big fan of augmented reality. He even talked about the potential of AR and how much more appealing it is compared to VR (virtual reality).

“I’m excited about augmented reality,” said Cook as quoted by BGR. “Because unlike virtual reality which closes the world out, AR allows individuals to be present in the world but hopefully allows an improvement on what’s happening presently.”

Rumours have been going around that Apple may call its next smartphone as iPhone X in reference to the 10th anniversary. The special anniversary edition iPhone shall reportedly carry a cold and premium price of up to US1,000 (AU$1,310). Whether Apple calls its next flagship iPhone 8 or iPhone X, one thing is for sure: it’s going to be much better, feature-packed and inevitably more expensive than any previous iPhone models.

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