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> ...just a measure taken by Apple to cover it's bases in case VR takes off

I don't think Apple engages in that kind of speculative R&D. It's R&D is directly geared into product development (there are probably arguable edge cases). That's why it's R&D budget is so tiny compared to companies like Googe and Microsoft. I can't see them investing much in a huge, complex and poorly defined area like VR unless thay have some pretty specific ideas in mind.

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It's still 4 billion, that's more half a dozen universities (not top tier, but average ones).

Wow you're right, it's shot up a huge amount in the last couple of years! Apple has traditionaly kept a very tight reign on R&D. Frankly it's hard to see how they can expand R&D spending that fast and keep it under tight management control. Interesting.

Could be for accounting reasons though. it might be beneficial to shift some money spent elsewhere into R&D

It's still 4 billion.

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