Apple has acquired virtual reality startup NextVR for $100 million. This will be the third acquisition by Apple this year. It had bought voice technology startup Voysis and weather app Dark Sky earlier this year. NextVR's acquisition will help Apple's own development of VR and AR headsets. NextVR already supplies content to several existing VR headsets from Facebook, Sony, Oculus and Lenovo.
NextVR's website currently says that the company is heading in a new direction. 'NextVR is Heading in a New Direction. Thank you to our partners and fans around the world for the role you played in building this awesome platform for sports, music and entertainment experiences in Virtual Reality.” the website says. The company is officially shut down. While Apple hasn't disclosed why it has made the acquisition, the move will be a strategic bet at having getting an upper hand in the VR and AR space which is said to be the future. NextVR has deals with sports leagues and entertainment networks and their expertise in live streaming in virtual reality would be something Apple will look to take advantage of.
