Apple Exec Dan Riccio’s ‘Unnamed’ Project Revealed as AR, VR Headsets: Report

In late January, Apple announced its hardware chief Dan Riccio was moving to a new ‘unnamed’ project. Some suspected this shift was related to Apple’s autonomous electric vehicle plans, but according to Bloomberg, it’s related to upcoming augmented reality and virtual reality devices.

Mark Gurman reports Riccio is now “focusing on the company’s upcoming virtual and augmented reality devices,” according to unnamed sources.

Riccio now manages the team tasked with creating Apple’s future augmented and virtual reality headsets, note these sources.

Gurman also says “Apple has also told staff it is moving the group working on in-house displays and camera technology to Johny Srouji, the executive in charge of processors and cellular modems.”

According to the report, this move would suggest the first Apple devices with custom-built displays could be getting closer to launch, and also means the iPhone maker is becoming less reliant on third-party suppliers.

Bloomberg says Apple is developing MicroLED screens at a complex near its Apple Park headquarters in Cupertino, California.

“After 23 years of leading our Product Design or Hardware Engineering teams — culminating with our biggest and most ambitious product year ever — it’s the right time for a change. Next up, I’m looking forward to doing what I love most — focusing all my time and energy at Apple on creating something new and wonderful that I couldn’t be more excited about,” said Riccio last month in a statement.

Riccio’s vacancy will be filled by John Ternus, acting as Apple’s new Hardware Engineering Chief.

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