The opening keynote of the Intel Developer Forum (IDF) was used to unveil Project Alloy, an all-in-one merged-reality headset that Intel says will redefine what is possible in VR. Project Alloy will be offered as an open platform in 2017, and Intel is working with Microsoft to optimize Windows-based content for Alloy. APIs for the hardware kit will also be made available to developers, and Intel hopes that these developers and some specific partners will build their own branded designs from Alloy. Windows Holographic is an obvious candidate, but Apple has yet to make a VR or AR play in either its desktop or mobile portfolios. For now, the real-world objects that are integrated into the merged-reality environment are markedly…