Apple Has Acquired Augmented Reality Company Metaio

Apple has acquired augmented reality company Metaio, reports TechCrunch. The company started back in 2003 as an offshoot of a project at Volkswagen.



Metaio canceled its user conference in San Francisco earlier this month and took down its Twitter accounts. A couple days ago it posted on its website that its products were no longer available for purchase and that downloads would only be available until December 15th. Email support will end on June 30th.




Looking into the matter, TechCrunch found a document confirming a transfer of shares of the startup to Apple on May 21st/22nd.

When asked for comment, Apple responded with its standard reply it gives as confirmation of acquistions, “Apple buys smaller technology companies from time to time, and we generally do not discuss our purpose or plans.”




Writer Josh Constine went to Metaio’s San Francisco office yesterday to investigate but was turned away by a nervous employee who refused to speak with him and shut the door in his face. Clients who use Metaio are apparently "flipping out" after reading the shut down message and not hearing a word from the company.

It's unclear exactly where Apple plans to use Metaio's technology. To see it in action, check out some of the videos below. There's also a video detailing Metaio's SDK for developers.

Please follow iClarified on Twitter, Facebook, or RSS for updates.

Read More