Apple is reportedly working on a new version of the Messages app that could launch alongside the mixed reality headset next year. A Twitter follower known as “Majin Bu” has claimed that Apple is working on a brand new version of iMessage that includes a new look for the home screen, chat rooms, video clips and more. The app is said to offer “new augmented reality chat features” and will therefore launch alongside Apple’s headset next year.

iOS 16 brought a host of new features to the Messages app, including editing or deleting a recently sent message, marking conversations as unread, collaboration invites, and event updates; The launch of the headset is tied to Apple.

From Mark Gurman BloombergFrequently revealing details about Apple’s plans, he said that Apple’s mixed reality headset will focus on gaming, media consumption and communication. He believes Memojis and SharePlay can be at the center of the experience. ‌iOS 16‌ adds SharePlay to Messages, allowing multiple users to enjoy synchronized content like movies or songs with shared playback controls while chatting. This requires a user-friendly experience to initiate SharePlay sessions in the Messages app on an Apple headset.

The headset itself is said to run a brand new operating system internally called “rOS” or “realityOS” codenamed “Oak”. Apple’s work on realityOS has been talked about since 2017, but the operating system’s existence was finally confirmed earlier this year when references were found in App Store download logs and Apple’s open source code. realityOS may have versions of most of Apple’s existing apps, so a wider push for Messages seems likely, especially if the app is important for on-device collaboration.

Majin Boo revealed the full details of Apple’s plans, including cases and color options, and shared rumors about a 14.1-inch iPad before screen analyst and well-known Apple executive Ross Yang. However, software reputation is much more volatile. In March, Majin Bu shared information about a new smart multitasking system for iPadOS exclusive to the iPad M1. It is unclear whether this information is legitimate, as it may refer to an early version of what is currently known as Stage Manager. Source