A woman looks at the screen of her mobile phone in front of an Apple logo outside its store in downtown Shanghai September 10, 2013.
A woman looks at the screen of her mobile phone in front of an Apple logo outside its store in downtown Shanghai September 10, 2013. Reuters

Apple is reportedly working on a new project that involves Virtual Reality or VR, elements of which could be packed with the tech giant's next iPhone release date or as rumours would call the iPhone 7.

Virtual Reality is seemingly poised to headline the killer features that Apple will include with the 2015 models of iOS devices, this according to the new Apple job listing that 9to5Mac first pointed out to. The job description calls for an app engineer with specific expertise on 3D graphics plus virtual and augmented reality, added the report.

Possible applications

As hinted by the job listing details, the engineer Apple is searching for will be tasked to design apps that easily integrate with virtual reality features or capabilities. Reading between the lines, Apple appears inclined to develop in-house applications that will be deployed by default with the next-generation iOS.

The nearest implementation, should the project will produce immediate results, could be the iOS 8 replacement that likely will be known as iOS 9.

One possibility too is that the virtual reality app or software that Apple engineers will create is to be paired with companion iPhone or iPad products - hardware accessories produced by third-party providers.

Apple VR hardware

Or Apple is actually planning to manufacture the planned VR hardware in-house, which 9to5Mac said is a likelihood described by previously published Apple patents on the subject.

One example is an Apple invention that aims to enhance media viewing experience through a VR-centric gear that the report described as "an Oculus Rift-style headset." This technology was approved by U.S. patent authorities this 2014 and is theoretically ready for use starting 2015 and onwards.

It makes sense that for the hardware to become fully functional, Apple will develop a powerful software that will run the service either by pairing with the 2015 iPhone and iPad models or become a separate hardware that connects with iDevices but with stand-alone features.

Regardless, it is likely that Virtual Reality once perfected by Apple next year is expected to further enhance the iPhone 7 killer features. This early, the device is rumoured to boast of 3D glassless panel that is protected by a shatter-proof Corning Gorilla Glass 4 cover.

On its release date, which should happen in the third quarter of 2015, the iPhone 7 is also said to sport a dual-lens camera system that will give the device's rear shooter with DSLR-class capability.