Apple may be laser-focused on launching its Vision Pro augmented reality headset next month. But newly surfaced patent filings provide a glimpse into potential accessories coming further down the road.
Discovered by Patently Apple, one patent depicts what looks like a supersized Apple Pencil for writing and drawing in mid-air. Dubbed a “handheld controller with a marker-shaped housing,” the wand-like device could enable manipulating virtual objects in AR/VR environments.
The documentation specifically calls out compatibility with a head-mounted device like the forthcoming Vision Pro. But the creative stylus could also potentially pair with iPhones, iPads and other Apple products able to display AR overlays.
Intriguingly, the patent indicates the Pencil-esque peripheral could digitally alter its appearance for users inside a VR/AR headset. So it might transform from a standard pen to a paintbrush or spray can, with special effects visible only in the augmented display.
