Apple Acquires AR Headset Startup Responsible For Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge

Hmmm… I wonder what happens to the visors in the ride. Does Universal have the licensing rights to keep making these?

I like Apple's answer on this acquisition. Speaking like a true future patent troll indeed.

Apple: We buy rights to whatever we like, don't ask us why. Just know that we can.

If only Microsoft could learn from this.

I don’t usually subscribe to game wars thoughts but I wonder if Apple was both impressed at the Nintendo headset and worried what would happen if Nintendo enlisted Mira to make a VR headset for their next console. I could see them snatching up Mira just to prevent that. Nintendo is an entertainment company so they will pivot wherever they find a viable (and sustainable) path.

@Zeldawakening I’m sure the companies involved worked out a contract that will keep them in use for a long time.

Any agreement made before an acquisition will still have to be fulfilled. For example, when Microsoft bought Bethesda, Deathloop and Ghostwire: Tokyo still stayed timed exclusives to PS5 because of previously made contracts. And games like Minecraft and Destiny are still being updated on every console/PC they were already released on, despite now being owned by first-party publishers, mostly because of how much more money they make across multiple platforms, due to how many copies were already sold on those other platforms.

It’s in Apple’s interest to keep honouring the deals Mira made before acquiring them, since they now get a cut of those profits.

@Serpenterror
Apple may be very aggressive in defending their Logo, Apple is not known for being a patent troll. Normally they buy companies because of knowledge and to use their products. Inactive patents are used for defence when being accused by another company.

And of course Microsoft does the same
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_mergers_and_acquisitions_by_Microsoft

@Serpenterror Apple can never be a patent troll. Patent trolls don't release products containing the patents. Apple does. End.

Well sort of logically isn't it, they need content for their use cases (which were quite slim for consumers, more for enterprise), and they a company who makes that... probably long time planned, but they waited to after the presentation to not give away their plans (even though everybidy sort of knew)

Apple needs anything and anyone they can to help sell their $3500 Vision Pro headset.

someone should record the visor part w spy glasses on yt.

@Serpenterror patent trolls don’t release any products, they buy patents only to sue others.

Apple can be a annoying company, and they can be very full of themself.

But they are not a patent troll.

Hmm... So what's it gonna be? One company that overvalued their extremely proprietary products working with or against another company hell bent on overvaluing their extremely proprietary products?

I laugh every time I think about how the Apple VR set costs over THREE THOUSAND dollars 😆😆😆 Truly astounding 😆

@canaryfarmer
It‘s not just a VR set, it is a mixed reality set, similar to Microsoft’s HoloLens. Same price range btw

The Vision Pro is a really poor attempt at moving VR/AR technology on. I expected a LOT more from Apple. This product is DOA.

If gamers aren't buying Sony VR2, why is the wider public going to buy a similar looking product at more than 3 times the price?

The problem no-one seems to be addressing is that with the exception of Earphones and Watches nobody has managed to convince the general public to wear technology.

And let's be clear here. The Watch battle hasn't even been won yet. Most people still do not wear a connected watch. That's the easy battle?! Watches are easy yet people say no. And Apple next dive in with Goggles?! It's lunacy!

We need to see more wearable technology solutions to start convincing people this is the future. Bendable screens are definitely going to help. I can envision a bracelet/bangle that clips around your wrist for example.

Problem is, the screen technology and especially battery technology are still nowhere near ready to drive wearable technology forward.

Giant ski goggles with a battery pack you wear on your back isn't convincing anyone! Even if this was $500 it would struggle. Delusional is the only word for this.