Did Apple Just Hire A Virtual Reality Expert?

According to the Financial Times, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) just hired one of the leading minds in virtual reality.The Financial Times reported that Apple hired Doug Bowman, a former Professor of Computer Science and Director of the Center for Human-Computer Interaction at Virginia Tech. Bowman has focused his research on "three-dimensional user interface design and the benefits of immersion in virtual environments."The Financial Times pointed out that Apple's patents include use of virtual reality in its smartphones. The company's M&A activity also "point to a growing interest in the technology," the publication added.Finally, the Financial Times argued that Apple's hire is the "strongest sign yet" of Apple's growing interest in the virtual reality space.