Apple's Vision Pro was once called Reality Pro
What's the story
Apple's highly anticipated Vision Pro headset was internally dubbed "Reality Pro" for a long time during its development. The information comes from the prototype collector and leaker known as "Kosutami." In a post on X, Kosutami shared an internal string "realityprorealityosdev," hinting at the early development phase of the device when it was still being called Reality Pro.
Trademark history
Mark Gurman previously mentioned 'Reality Pro' name
The name "Reality Pro" isn't new. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman had reported in September 2022 that Apple's first headset would probably be called "Apple Reality Pro."
In August 2022, trademark applications for names like "Reality One," "Reality Pro," and "Reality Processor" were filed in the US and other countries through a shell company named Immersive Health Solutions LLC, something Apple has done before to keep its product names under wraps.
OS trademarks
Realityo Systems filed trademark for 'realityOS' in December 2021
Before the Reality Pro name surfaced, another apparent shell company, Realityo Systems LLC, filed a trademark application for "realityOS" in December 2021.
This came after developers discovered realityOS references in Apple's software and App Store upload logs.
By mid-2023, more trademark applications were found for names like "xrOS," "xrProOS," "realityproOS," and "realOS."
Final branding
Apple ditched 'Reality' branding for Vision headset
Apple officially unveiled the headset as the Vision Pro at WWDC 2023, seemingly ditching the Reality branding for both the device and its operating system.
The OS was branded as visionOS.
This change was made late enough in development that some remnants of the old naming system remained in internal builds and software, like the string Kosutami pointed out.
Trademark strategy
Apple might use 'Reality Pro' name in China
Apple still holds the trademarks for "Reality Pro" and "Reality One," which could come into play in China.
There, Huawei has a 10-year license for the Vision Pro trademark until 2031.
Gurman speculated that Apple might use the Reality Pro branding in markets where Vision Pro isn't available as a trademark.