Apple CEO Tim Cook calls virtual reality 'really cool' in comments that suggest company could develop headset
The company has made a number of hires in recent months that could suggest the company is looking to stake a claim on the growing technology
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Tim Cook might have confirmed that Apple is looking at creating a virtual reality headset.
Asked about whether Apple was looking into VR, boss Tim cook said that it is “really cool and has some interesting applications”.
The vague statement is likely to increase rumours that Apple is working on virtual reality equipment, in the wake of new hires in the field.
Mr Cook was speaking as the company reported its earnings for the last quarter of 2015. Those showed that growth in iPhone sales were slowing — but that new products such as the Apple Watch and Apple TV were growing.
Virtual reality is one product, alongside a rumoured car, that could also join the iPhone as part of Apple’s expanded line.
"In terms of VR, I don't think it's a niche,” Mr Cook said. “It's really cool and has some interesting applications."
The answer is far from any confirmation that Apple is looking into virtual reality. But it does show that the company is not necessarily ruling it out.
It also means that it is likely to become the product that Apple is repeatedly asked about. Previously, analysts wanted to know when Apple might get around to releasing its TV — but then that came out, late last year.
The question was asked by analyst Gene Munster, who had spent the years before the Apple TV release asking the company when it would arrive and making predictions about it. But many of those predictions turned out wrong — it was widely-rumoured the company would make an actual TV set, but the hardware turned out to be a box that plugs into an existing TV.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments