According to Akonia's website, its HoloMirror technology allows for the creation of "thin, transparent smart glass lenses that display vibrant, full-color, wide field-of-view images." It also owns 200 patents on holographic systems and materials. As Reuters notes, Apple purchased smaller companies in the past to use their technologies in its devices. The facial recognition sensor used on the iPhone X, for instance, is probably an evolved version of the three-dimensional sensors an Israeli-based PrimeSense developed. Apple bought PrimeSense, the co-creator of the original Kinect, in 2013.

While Cupertino is staying mum as usual, Tim Cook openly admitted that it sees a future in augmented reality. "We are high on AR for the long run," he said during an earnings call in 2017. "We think there are great things for customers and a great commercial opportunity."

Video

Presenter: Dana Wollman

Script: Terrence O'Brien

Script Editor: Dana Wollman

Camera: Taylor Ligay

Editor: Chris Schodt

Producer: Michael Morris