Apple is developing a new app as part of its work on iOS 14. The new app, codenamed Gobi, will allow users to get more information about the world around them by using an augmented reality experience on the phone. The AR experience would also be part of Apple’s forthcoming AR headset project.

The iPhone or iPad would know about what augmented reality experience to begin based on QR-code like tags in the area. It is possible that iBeacons or Apple’s AirTags could also act as the trigger.

There will be some sort of SDK or API integration for third-party companies to provide their own tag identifiers, which would load up custom assets and scenery for that company. This would be based on extensions built into downloaded App Store apps. Apple appears to be currently trialing this feature with Starbucks.

iOS 14 upcoming changes features video walkthrough

It isn’t clear if the API would be a free-for-all or if Apple would use some kind of entitlements system to lock it down to select partners, similar to how they handle the CarPlay API.

More from iOS 14:

  • Apple Watch Series 6 and watchOS 7 to include ‘Infograph Pro’ with tachymeter, Schooltime and kids mode, sleep tracking, more
  • Apple Watch blood oxygen detection feature found in iOS 14 code snippet
  • iOS 14 icon leak reveals first look at Apple’s high-end, over-ear headphones with AirPods features