The first step in Cross-Platform Interoperability would require the Apple products to detect other products in the immediate vicinity and to infer whether or not A) the user can see the product and B) the likelihood that the user would want to interact with that specific app on that specific piece of hardware. This inference can be aided by gestures by the users. One example of a user gesture that would help the ecosystem make inferences is hand gestures while using a MacBook or hand gestures while using AR glasses. Other gestures could include swiping up and to the right on iPhone apps or by simply pointing the iPhone to apps running on other devices.

Once an intention or a command is established by the user, the primary hardware needs to instantly communicate to the secondary hardware what the target app is, and the exact location / time that the app should be opened at. For example, if a user wants to continue watching a movie from their mobile device, the Apple TV should communicate to the iPhone the movie title and exact time frame the movie should be resumed from. Another example is if a user is on the Profile Settings screen of the Amazon app on their phone, but are having difficulty finding the setting they want to change, they can instantly open their Amazon account from their PC.

Once a connection and an intention is established the devices can work in tandem to allow for a continuous and uninterrupted playback of whatever application is in focus.