Apple complete the acquisition of Colorado-based Akonia Holographics, a startup focused on the development and production of specialized lenses used in augmented reality headsets.

United States: Apple has purchased a startup that makes lenses for augmented reality glasses. This acquisition advances further indication to reports suggesting Apple is developing an augmented reality headset.

Akonia's was founded in 2012, the company’s initial goal was to develop holographic data storage solutions, but soon the company transitioned in making displays for AR glasses. The organization's lead item, called HoloMirror, utilizes restrictive volume holographic media and know-how to interestingly empower thin, smart glass lenses that show dynamic, full-shading, wide field-of-see pictures

Akonia claims its innovation "will reform" the smart glass display market, offering producers "ultra-clear, full-shading execution" in thin and light headsets. Dissimilar to solutions from the likes of the Magic Leap, which utilize waveguides to pipe graphical data to multiple display planes before a client's eyes, HoloMirror uses a single layer of media. The technique diminishes complexity, as well as takes into consideration coordination into little shape factors like common glasses.

In augmented reality, digital data is covered on the real world as in the popular game Pokemon Go. In this, the mobile phone uses its camera to do this on the phone's screen, but major technology companies are competing to create glasses that will show digital information on transparent lenses.

Moreover, the company, Apple has a history of acquiring smaller companies whose technologies show up years later in its products. In 2013, Apple acquired a small Israeli firm called PrimeSense which has made three-dimensional sensors. The iPhone X launched last year, used a similar sensor to power facial recognition features.

According to TechSci Research, the acquisition of Akonia by Apple is anticipated to drive the Augmented reality market in the coming years. Augmented Reality (AR) offers real time display of real-world images with computer generated information. United States Augmented Reality (AR) market is one of the fastest growing AR markets across the globe. The market is witnessing growth due to rising demand for head-mounted displays and smart glasses in consumer electronics segment. Moreover, growing IoT market including IIoT, smart grids, smart cities, smart consumer wearables, smart appliances and smartphones, coupled with booming augmented reality market are expected to drive global edge computing market during the forecast period.

According to the recently published report by TechSci Research, “United States Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality Market Forecast and Opportunities, 2020”, the market for augmented reality and virtual reality in the United States is projected to grow at a CAGR over 37% during 2015-2020. Growing adoption in automotive, pico-projectors, and gaming & entertainment industries, for display of information, along with facilitation of real-time human interaction with objects and digital devices, are anticipated to be the major growth drivers for United States augmented reality & virtual reality market over the next five years. The market is segmented into Head-Mounted Display (HMD) products, Head-Up Display (HUD) products, smart glasses, and handheld device applications, wherein HMD products held the largest revenue share in 2014. United States augmented reality & virtual reality market is majorly dominated by BAE Systems, Thales Defense and Security, Inc., and Rockwell Collins, Inc. “United States Augmented Reality & Virtual Reality Market Forecast & Opportunities, 2020” discusses the following aspects of augmented reality and virtual reality market in the United States.

According to the recently published report by TechSci Research, “Global Edge Computing Market By Deployment (On-Premise, & Cloud), By Application (IoT, Video Surveillance, etc.), By Component (Hardware & Software), By End-User (Manufacturing, Power, etc.), By Region, Competition Forecast & Opportunities, 2015-2022”, Global edge computing market was valued at over $ 623 million in 2016 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of over 46% to surpass $ 6 billion by 2022. Growing IoT market including IIoT, smart grids, smart cities, smart consumer wearables, smart appliances and smartphones, coupled with booming augmented reality and virtual reality market are expected to drive global edge computing market during the forecast period.

According to the recently published report by TechSci Research, “Global Mobile Edge Computing Market, By Component (Hardware & Software), By Application (Location-Based Services, Video Surveillance, Unified Communication, Optimized Local Content Distribution & Data Analytics), Competition Forecast & Opportunities, 2013 – 2023”, Global mobile edge computing market is projected to grow at a CAGR of over 35%, in value terms, during 2018-2023. The rising data traffic sing the demand of mobile edge communication systems, regulatory & legal framework and privacy and security concern, resolution and increasing adoption of smart devices such as smartphone, tablets, etc is expected to propel demand for mobile edge computing over the next five years.