Everything we know thus far about the Apple VR/AR headset
Rumors and stories about Apple’s virtual and augmented reality (VR) and mixed reality (MR) headsets continue to surface. Even if Apple hasn’t made an official announcement about the device, CEO Tim Cook has termed AR “essential” and one of “very few meaningful technologies.”
Like the Oculus Quest 2 or PlayStation VR 2, Apple’s rumoured VR ambitions desire to compete with the top VR headsets currently on the market. “
While Apple Glasses, as the name suggests, are simply augmented reality, the company’s VR/AR headset is distinct. Apple’s AR/VR headset, on the other hand, could debut as soon as the end of the year, according to reports.
A number of reports have surfaced about Apple’s virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR), including its display technology and release date. Apple VR and mixed reality headsets: everything you need to know.
Apple VR and mixed-reality headset release date speculation
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported in January 2021 that Apple’s VR and mixed reality headsets would be available by the end of 2022. That prediction was backed up by Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who has Apple’s virtual reality and augmented reality headsets shipping by the end of 2022. It is also expected to launch in late 2022 by Display Supply Chain Consultants.
Initially, Kuo had predicted a Q2 2022 debut date. It appears that this delay is due to the headset’s complicated design, as well as Apple’s own standards, which are apparently higher than those of its competitors. A separate story from The Information details the many challenges the headgear project has encountered.
Because designing a headgear like this takes time and effort, Apple wants to make sure it’s done well. As a result of this delay, engineers will have more time to work on the headset’s full range of hardware, software and services, according to Kuo.
It’s possible that this is the cause of a recent Bloomberg report saying that Apple may delay the release of the headset, which was expected to be demonstrated at the Worldwide Developers Conference this June. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple’s virtual reality headset will be unveiled around the end of the year or in the first quarter of 2023. The Apple VR/AR headset, according to analyst Jeff Pu’s April research report, will debut in 2023.
What this means is that the AR/VR headgear has been demoed to investors by Apple, a good sign it will be released at some time.
In 2024, Apple, according to Kuo, will unveil a second generation of the Apple headset, which will be lighter and more powerful than the original.
Apple VR and mixed reality headset vs Apple Glass
This headset is reportedly supposed to serve as a predecessor to Apple Glass, according to rumours. According to Ming-Chi Kuo, the “optical see-through AR experience” will be provided by the AR lenses.
From what we’ve heard, Apple Glass is supposed to appear and feel like an ordinary pair of light-weight eyewear. We’re referring to eyewear that can project data, including images, onto its lenses.
There are rumours that the Apple VR and mixed reality headgear would seem like a standard VR headset, but it will also have a variety of outside cameras and sensors that unlock additional functions.
A virtual and mixed reality headset that includes body tracking will be able to combine real-world environments into a virtual universe. A see-through experience, such as that offered by the Apple VR headset, may also enable users to experience augmented reality. So, this isn’t quite like the Oculus Quest 2, which is a virtual reality-only device.
Instead of jumping on the “metaverse” bandwagon like so many others, Mark Gurman claims the Apple device will be designed for short forays into virtual reality. According to reports, Apple has stated that the metaverse is off-limits. However, the mixed reality headgear won’t be something you wear all day or as a substitute for real life; instead, it will be used for conversation, content consumption, and gaming.
Apple VR and mixed reality headset rumored price
Apple VR and mixed reality headset prices have been reported in a variety of ways. According to the rumour mill, the company’s price strategy will focus on luring programmers.
Apple CEO Tim Cook has made it clear that augmented reality (AR) is the company’s ultimate goal. According to reports, the headset is the first step in the company’s wearable augmented reality (AR) goals Preparing developers for the debut of Apple Glass and ensuring that the specs have app support are the primary goals of the headgear. According to sources, the headset’s pricing will reflect the fact that Apple isn’t in it to make money.
Although Mark Gurman claims the headset will be focused on gaming, media consumption, and communication, this suggests that Apple is building a product that will appeal to a wide range of users. Perhaps a lower-cost second-generation headset is on the way. The first-generation headset isn’t necessary going to be cheap, nor is it going to be only geared toward developers.
Even while the price of Apple’s VR and mixed reality headset is expected to be high, reports differ on just how much it will cost.
According to The Information, Apple’s VR headset could cost up to $3,000 when it launches. However, a $3,500 Microsoft Hololens 2 headset is the most expensive gaming virtual reality headset available today.
The headset, according to Mark Gurman, might cost up to $2,000! The headset’s hardware, which may incorporate the Apple M1 Pro chip, a longer development period, and the customary markup applied to other Apple goods, are all factored into the pricing.
On the other hand, according to Ming-Chi Kuo’s forecast, it will only cost $1,000. Or the iPhone 12 Pro, if you like. Despite the fact that this is still pricey, the average developer can afford it. Especially if the headset’s power output is as great as previously reported.
Apple’s headset, according to Display Supply Chain Consultants, or DSCC, would cost “a few thousand dollars.”
In any event, the price of admission will be significant, and it will undoubtedly be far greater than the price of existing standalone virtual reality headsets. When compared to the Oculus Quest 2, for example, the price is $300.
Apple VR and mixed reality headset rumored features
Mixed reality is the primary function of the Apple headset. External cameras are presently being utilised to test hand-tracking and gesture control functions, according to Mark Gurman. To that end, a virtual keyboard might be used to allow users to type while in the air.
According to a story from The Information, the headset would have 12 tracking cameras that transmit data to two 8K monitors in front of the user’s eyes. LiDAR sensors have also been rumoured to be included in the headset. Display Supply Chain Consultants, or DSCC, reports that Sony is producing 4K 4000 x 4000 panels for Apple’s 1.4-inch headset. LiDAR was mentioned as an option by DSCC.
For those who don’t already know, LiDAR uses lasers to measure distance, which can swiftly and correctly gather the area of a region. The high-end iPad Pro, as well as the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max, have already made use of this information to improve the placement of things in augmented reality.
According to at least one source, Apple’s AR/VR headset will not have any games. Because early adopters are generally drawn to amenities like gaming, this seems like a strange move.
If DSCC is correct, Apple’s headset might house up to three screens. Two 4K Sony panels, as well as a larger lower-resolution AMOLED display on the rear, are possible options. Reports claim this would allow Apple to produce a focused display.
Folea is the small, central spot in a person’s retina just below the white part of their eye. This is called the fovea in the technical lingo. The fovea aids in the improvement of central vision by focusing light on the retina. Focusing an image on what the viewer is looking at while reducing resolution in other areas could be accomplished by using eye tracking in a foveated virtual reality (VR) headset. FFR, or fixed foveated rendering, is explained in detail in a YouTube video by SweViver.
However, it’s possible that none of those sensors is working alone. Using a “thimble-like” device worn on the finger, users will be able to track their hands and perform other tasks.
As a result, Gurman’s source says the headset will be equipped with Apple’s “most advanced and powerful processors.” Apple’s VR headset chip will reportedly be more powerful than the just-launched M1 Mac CPU, according to reports.
Another claim from Kuo suggests that the headgear would be outfitted with a brace or CPUs, hinting that Apple isn’t going to save on power.
By contrast, “the lower-end processor will be in charge of sensor-related computation,” Kuo says.
Apple’s upcoming M2 CPU is expected to power the headgear’s main processor, according to The Information, which claims that two processors will power the headset.
There will be a substantial demand for power to run all that stuff, according to Kuo. In fact, a 96W MacBook charger is said to be included with the headset in order to keep everything powered up.
Not long ago, Kuo revealed that “extremely sensitive 3D sensing modules” could enable the device to have hand gesture controls and object identification features.
According to him, the AR/MR headset will be able to detect not only the position change of the user or other people’s hand and item in front of their eyes, but also its dynamic detail change. By tracking a user’s hand movement, Kuo suggested that when they open their palm, the machine may show them a balloon floating away as if it had just been released.
Some smart rings that can track finger and hand movements have been revealed in a patent by Apple Insider. This could be used to enhance the capabilities of the external cameras when used with a virtual reality or mixed reality headset.
Additionally, the patent specifies the ability to recognise the user’s things in their hands, including an Apple Pencil. As a result, the headset will adjust its functionality based on what you tell it to do. If you use an Apple Pencil, it will still recognise that you want to write by hand rather than type. In addition,
“3P pancake lenses,” according to Ming-Chi Kuo, feature a folded design to allow light to reflect between the display and lenses, according to Kuo. As a result, a more compact and lightweight headset might be created.
Wi-Fi 6E capability, according to Ming-Chi Kuo, will enable the headset to connect to a different device and transfer significant amounts of data quickly. There’s no need for an actual wire to connect the headset to another device like an iPhone or Mac, because the headset can be used as an intermediary between these two devices.
Apple will be able to keep the headset’s weight down and extend its battery life by not conducting all of the processing in the headset itself.
Apple VR and mixed reality headset design
Apple’s rumoured mixed reality headgear has been sketched out, according to an early 2021 story by The Information. Early prototype work by Apple engineers may or may not be reflected in the final product depicted here.
Based on The Information’s disclosure earlier in the year, concept artist Ian Zelbo has developed some renderings of a prospective headset design.
However, with this being Apple, we would anticipate the headset to have a clean industrial design and a lot of user ergonomics in mind.
Nonetheless, Ming-Chi Kou claims that when the headgear is released, it would weigh between 300 and 400 grammes (about a pound). According to Kou, there is a lighter version in the works for a future release.
Apple Glasses realityOS
A new operating system is required for a new device form factor, and it appears that Apple will provide that, with references to “realityOS” in App Store upload logs by eagle-eyed developers being made to the company’s plans.
With little information available, it would make sense for Apple to develop a proprietary operating system (OS) for its virtual and augmented reality gadgets. We’re willing to bet that such an OS will be more similar to iOS than macOS.
Apple VR and mixed reality headset: Will you want to buy it?
Apple’s AR/VR mixed reality headset is expected to be geared toward professionals and developers, according to current sources and rumours. The objective is to provide developers an actual gadget to practise building augmented reality apps before Apple Glasses AR specifications are released.
According to some sources, Apple’s AR/VR headset could cost as much as $3,000; other claims say the headgear will cost “a few thousand dollars.”
However, with Apple Glasses expected to be some years away, the appeal of the Apple headgear may change over time. There are more apps that can be developed and released if developers have a lot of time on their hands. Assuming, of course, that the price does not continue to deter potential customers.
A second version of Apple’s virtual reality headset may be possible in 2024, according to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. He believes this headgear will rival the Oculus Quest 2’s sales of 10 million units. It’s possible that this headset will be more popular with the general public.
Apple VR and mixed reality headset wish list: What we want
Virtual reality headsets aren’t suited for long-term use since they’re uncomfortable. After around 30 minutes, the level of discomfort begins to rise. From the beginning, a headset that’s easy to wear is going to last longer.
To ensure that its mixed reality headset is as comfortable as possible, Apple must develop the AirPods Pro in such a way that you don’t even notice they’re there.
Standalone headsets’ battery life isn’t the best it could be right now. No more than two or three hours, depending on your activity level, are required to complete the Oculus Quest 2. A minimum of this much battery life, if not more, is what we’d like to see from Apple’s VR and mixed reality gear.
The headset might be a game changer for fitness if it is integrated with Apple Fitness Plus and the Apple Watch. You might track your progress while working out with a personal trainer using the device.
A mixed-reality headset with genuine augmented reality capabilities would be ideal for the company’s wearable AR initiatives. Apple should at the very least do everything it can to ensure that any see-through AR feature is as realistic as possible, even if users are always aware that the headset is in place. In other words, you may expect sharp images with little to no judder, as well as a wide field of vision.
It’s a developer device, therefore Apple should make sure there’s a good reason for anyone to buy one. Don’t just release the headset because you feel like it’s worth it. Give them a reason to buy one of your products, not just because of the brand.