Apple buys a small augmented reality headset startup for $30 million

Word is going around that Apple bought Vrvana for about $30 million. This Canadian startup created the Totem headset, an AR/VR headset that features two 1440p OLED screens and a very wide field of view (FOV) of 120 degrees. The device received good reviews from the press but hasn't hit the market yet.

TechCrunch says Apple refused to comment on the deal. Apple has been rumored to be working on AR hardware for some time now, with some reputable sources claiming this project has a 2020 deadline. The goal of this acquisition is unknown, it could be that Apple wants to implement some of Vrvana's technology, or perhaps the company wanted to get its hands on talented AR/VR engineers.

A number of the startup’s employees have joined Apple in California. The Vrvana site is currently still up, but it stopped updating social accounts and news in August of this year.

It’s not clear what of Vrvana’s existing products, product roadmap or current business — it worked with Valve, Tesla, Audi and others under NDA — will be making its way to Apple.