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Apple (AAPL) Gets U.S. Patent for iPhone-Operated, VR-Like Headset

February 17, 2015 2:30 PM EST

Apple (Nasdaq: AAPL) isn't looking to be left out of the virtual reality headset game.

With names like Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT), Google (Nasdaq: GOOGL), and Facebook (Nasdaq: FB) all looking to make a splash in the segment, the venture would be a natural progression for Apple.

According to reports out Tuesday, Apple was granted a U.S. patent which covers a head-mounted display apparatus for retaining a portable electronic device with display.

The abstract of patent 8,957,835 is: Head-mounted display systems and methods of operation that allow users to couple and decouple a portable electronic device such as a handheld portable electronic device with a separate head-mounted device (e.g., temporarily integrates the separate devices into a single unit) are disclosed. The portable electronic may be physically coupled to the head-mounted device such that the portable electronic device can be worn on the user's head. The portable electronic device may be operatively coupled to the head-mounted device such that the portable electronic device and head mounted device can communicate and operate with one another. Each device may be allowed to extend its features and/or services to the other device for the purpose of enhancing, increasing and/or eliminating redundant functions between the head-mounted device and the portable electronic device.

The device would basically allow a user to turn their iPhone into a VR headset. While Apple CEO Tim Cook isn't a fan of the headset concept (and even Google had trouble passing-off its Google Glass as something next generation), it might be something that Apple dabbles in just in case the segment does pick up steam.

Shares of Apple are up 0.4 percent.



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