Apple Job Listings Point to Virtual Reality Plans With Gaming, UI Focus

Following last month's report on Apple creating auto-stereoscopic glasses for users, seems like the firm is further advancing towards its rumoured virtual reality device as it lists a number of related job listings. The newfound job listings concentrate on developing gaming and "cinematic user interfaces" for a "next-generation product" for Apple.

"Play a part in the next revolution in user experience by delivering cinematic user interfaces and simplifying human interface in fundamental ways. Build a team to develop new user interaction solutions, while working on innovative products... This engineer will create high performance apps that integrate with Virtual Reality systems for prototyping and user testing," states on of the job listing first spotted by 9to5mac.

One of the job listings vacant is for a Game Engineer, who should have enough experience in the field of virtual reality and who can "develop software combining state-of-the-art physics-based world simulation, visuals and Virtual Reality to enable Apple's development of next-generation product."

The second listing for an App Engineer notably asks the candidate to have experience with third-party virtual reality platforms like Oculus Rift and Leap Motion. The third listing straightaway asks for a Virtual Reality/Augmented Reality Programmer with an experience with game engines like Unreal and Unity.

Adding to the speculation, a report from last month also noted that Apple might be developing a glasses-free 3D or auto-stereoscopic display that it could use in a future iPhone. The Cupertino-based tech firm along with the 3D hardware, is actively building a software ecosystem for the 3D display.

While there is nothing concrete about Apple's plans, a recent patent granted (via 9to5Mac) to the company in September certainly suggests that a 3D interface is in the pipeline.

Other companies are recognising are certainly recognising the significance of virtual reality to future lines of immersive gaming and entertainment, with Facebook snapping up Oculus, and Samsung partnering with the same company to announce its own Gear VR headset. Optics giant Carl Zeiss also launched its own VR headset recently.