HardwareVRApple Vision ProCould this patent hint at controllers for Apple Vision Pro?When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
HardwareVRApple Vision ProCould this patent hint at controllers for Apple Vision Pro?When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: USPTO / Apple)
We’re yet to try the Apple Vision Pro since it’s only launched in the US, so we aren’t quite sure how it’ll match up against thebest VR headsets. Personally, I think the lack of tactile controllers in VR gaming scenarios would mean it’ll miss a certain element of “feel” that’s surprisingly important to that type of experience.
(Image credit: USPTO / Apple)
The document was then published on February 29 this year, but that lengthy gap between filing and publishing may signal that handheld controllers for Vision Pro could already be in development.
The patent itself shows multiple diagrams of the invention it outlines. The controllers are described as “a housing with an elongated shaft extending between first and second tip portions” and the description says the housing may have “a flat surface and a curved surface”, which makes it sound like a remote for the Nintendo Wii.
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(Image credit: USPTO / Apple)
The document reads “A system may include an electronic device such as a head-mounted device and a handheld controller for controlling the electronic device. The head-mounted device or other device may have a display configured to display virtual content that is overlaid onto real-world content.”
In the paragraph labeled “Background”, the patent gives the following synopsis:
“Electronic devices such as computers can be controlled using computer mice and other input accessories. In virtual reality systems, force-feedback gloves can be used to control virtual objects. Cellular telephones may have touch screen displays and vibrators that are used to create haptic feedback in response to touch input”, it reads.
Interestingly, this sounds like exactly the reason most people calling for controllers for the Vision Pro want them in the first place. Strangely, the patent also follows directly from that paragraph, giving the company’s reasons against having them.
(Image credit: Apple)
“Devices such as these may not be convenient for a user, may be cumbersome or uncomfortable, or may provide inadequate feedback. In a virtual reality setting, it may be especially cumbersome for the user to charge or find storage for an input device without interrupting the virtual reality experience.”
Apple Vision Pro has certainly missed a lot of the mainstream gaming crowd it attracted at first, but a lack of VR game support on the headset could potentially point back to the fact it doesn’t support other VR controllers. Many of the biggest VR games on Steam and Meta platforms will rely on controllers to play them, and won’t be developed with hand-tracking in mind. If Apple does have any interest in attracting this sort of market, maybe it realizes that controllers are the key.
Today’s best VR headset dealsMeta Quest 3$527.99ViewSee all pricesMeta Quest 3 512GB$649$579.99ViewSee all pricesSony PlayStation VR2$549.99$449.90ViewSee all pricesLow StockOculus Quest 2 128GB$322$259.95ViewSee all pricesOculus Quest 2 256GB$599$529ViewSee all pricesHTC Vive Pro 2$699$498.99ViewSee all pricesDeal endsWed, Jan 1, 2025HTC Vive Pro 2 Full Kit$1,199.99$1,024.99ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best VR headset dealsMeta Quest 3$527.99ViewSee all pricesMeta Quest 3 512GB$649$579.99ViewSee all pricesSony PlayStation VR2$549.99$449.90ViewSee all pricesLow StockOculus Quest 2 128GB$322$259.95ViewSee all pricesOculus Quest 2 256GB$599$529ViewSee all pricesHTC Vive Pro 2$699$498.99ViewSee all pricesDeal endsWed, Jan 1, 2025HTC Vive Pro 2 Full Kit$1,199.99$1,024.99ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best VR headset dealsMeta Quest 3$527.99ViewSee all pricesMeta Quest 3 512GB$649$579.99ViewSee all pricesSony PlayStation VR2$549.99$449.90ViewSee all pricesLow StockOculus Quest 2 128GB$322$259.95ViewSee all pricesOculus Quest 2 256GB$599$529ViewSee all pricesHTC Vive Pro 2$699$498.99ViewSee all pricesDeal endsWed, Jan 1, 2025HTC Vive Pro 2 Full Kit$1,199.99$1,024.99ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best VR headset deals
Meta Quest 3$527.99ViewSee all pricesMeta Quest 3 512GB$649$579.99ViewSee all pricesSony PlayStation VR2$549.99$449.90ViewSee all pricesLow StockOculus Quest 2 128GB$322$259.95ViewSee all pricesOculus Quest 2 256GB$599$529ViewSee all pricesHTC Vive Pro 2$699$498.99ViewSee all pricesDeal endsWed, Jan 1, 2025HTC Vive Pro 2 Full Kit$1,199.99$1,024.99ViewSee all prices
Meta Quest 3$527.99ViewSee all prices
Meta Quest 3$527.99ViewSee all prices
Meta Quest 3
Meta Quest 3
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$527.99
$527.99
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Meta Quest 3 512GB$649$579.99ViewSee all prices
Meta Quest 3 512GB$649$579.99ViewSee all prices
Meta Quest 3 512GB
Meta Quest 3 512GB
$649$579.99View
$649$579.99
$579.99
See all prices
Sony PlayStation VR2$549.99$449.90ViewSee all prices
Sony PlayStation VR2$549.99$449.90ViewSee all prices
Sony PlayStation VR2
Sony PlayStation VR2
$549.99$449.90View
$549.99$449.90
$449.90
See all prices
Low StockOculus Quest 2 128GB$322$259.95ViewSee all prices
Low Stock
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Oculus Quest 2 128GB$322$259.95ViewSee all prices
Oculus Quest 2 128GB
Oculus Quest 2 128GB
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$322$259.95
$259.95
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Oculus Quest 2 256GB$599$529ViewSee all prices
Oculus Quest 2 256GB$599$529ViewSee all prices
Oculus Quest 2 256GB
Oculus Quest 2 256GB
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$599$529
$529
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HTC Vive Pro 2$699$498.99ViewSee all pricesDeal endsWed, Jan 1, 2025
HTC Vive Pro 2$699$498.99ViewSee all prices
HTC Vive Pro 2
HTC Vive Pro 2
$699$498.99View
$699$498.99
$498.99
See all prices
Deal endsWed, Jan 1, 2025
Deal endsWed, Jan 1, 2025
Deal endsWed, Jan 1, 2025
HTC Vive Pro 2 Full Kit$1,199.99$1,024.99ViewSee all prices
HTC Vive Pro 2 Full Kit$1,199.99$1,024.99ViewSee all prices
HTC Vive Pro 2 Full Kit
HTC Vive Pro 2 Full Kit
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GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS
1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
1
Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
2
Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
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4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
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5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
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Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
1
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2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
2
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3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
3
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4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
4
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5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
5
Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
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2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
2
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3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
3
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4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
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4
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5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
5
Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”