Apple’s reported virtual reality and augmented reality headgear is one such product. However, we are aware of the company’s ambitious aspirations in the field of augmented reality, even if the gadget has not yet been publicly unveiled. The virtual reality/augmented reality headgear is the next logical step in that direction.
It’s important to note that this VR/AR headgear is not the same thing as the reported Apple Glasses. That type, which is rumoured to be AR-exclusive and hence far in the future, seems promising.
The VR/AR headset, meanwhile, may arrive as early as 2023 and will almost certainly go head-to-head with the Meta Quest 2, the PSVR 2, and other top-tier VR devices.
Various rumours have surfaced about Apple’s rumoured virtual reality and augmented reality offerings, such as the company’s plans for next-gen display technology, the estimated cost, and an estimated release Recent reports have even surfaced regarding the alleged screen of Apple’s as-yet-unannounced second-generation virtual reality/augmented reality headset.
Apple VR/AR Headset Updates (Updated November 10)
- Depending on how things go, Apple’s headgear production might start as early as March 2023.
- According to recent rumours, Apple’s rumoured headset will have biometric iris scanning.
- Repeatedly, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has predicted that the headset’s release date of 2023 is plausible.
- Apple has been tied to trademarks for the Reality One and Reality Pro(opens in new tab) brands. Additionally, a Reality Processor may exist.
- According to Ming-Chi Kuo’s most recent predictions, Apple’s virtual reality/augmented reality headset will cost somewhere in the range of $2,000.
- Ming-Chi Kuo speculates that you may have to wait a few years before you can get your hands on a cheaper version of Apple’s VR/AR gear.
Release Date Reports for Apple Vr and Mixed-reality Headsets
The Apple VR/AR headset has been the subject of much speculation. A notable analyst and trusted Apple oracle, Ming-Chi Kuo, predicts that Apple will unveil their virtual reality/augmented reality headgear in January 2023, with a second version (and a cheaper edition) following in 2025.
Even though Mark Gurman says the headset will be available in 2023, he doesn’t give a more precise timeframe.
It has recently been rumoured that the AR/VR headset’s manufacturing might begin as early as March of 2023. This might suggest a later reveal than Kuo projected, or it could mean that Apple plans to show off the headset before opening pre-orders and sales a few months down the road to generate buzz and get developers working on experiences before consumers get their hands on the device.
Kuo calls Apple “a game-changer for the headset industry” and predicts that Cupertino’s first headset will usher in a new wave of products from others trying to emulate its ideas, as well as a boost in demand for associated AR games and apps, in a Medium post(opens in new tab) that explores several aspects of the VR headset market.
Trademarks for “Reality One,” “Reality Pro,” and “Reality Processor” have reportedly been found that may be connected to Apple’s virtual reality/augmented reality headset, according to a Bloomberg(opens in new tab) story (opens in new tab).
The fact that Apple has registered these names doesn’t prove that they’ll be used, but it does add gasoline to the fire that there might be more than one headset.
Apple’s Virtual Reality and Mixed Reality Headset Against Apple Glass
The rumoured Apple virtual reality (VR) and mixed-reality (MR) headgear is reportedly meant to pave the way for Apple Glass. The AR lenses, as described by Ming-Chi Kuo, are intended to provide a “see-through optical AR experience.”
That is to say, from what we have gathered, Apple Glass is meant to resemble and function like a regular pair of lightweight eyeglasses. In this context, “glasses” refers to a pair of eyewear that can project data and, presumably, images onto the wearer’s lenses.
We anticipate that Apple’s virtual and mixed reality headgear will function similarly to existing VR headsets, although with a slew of extra cameras and sensors on the outside.
So, users of Apple’s virtual reality (VR) and mixed reality (MR) headsets can take advantage of features like body tracking and the incorporation of real-world settings.
Additionally, Apple’s VR headset may offer a transparent experience capable of delivering augmented reality. Unlike the Oculus Quest 2, which can only be used for virtual reality, this one can be used for real life.
While many companies are jumping on the “metaverse” bandwagon, Apple’s Mark Gurman claims the Apple headset will be optimised for quick VR excursions. According to rumours, Apple has officially labelled the metaverse as “off bounds.”
Users can use the mixed reality headset for chatting, watching videos, and playing games, but it is not meant to be worn constantly or as a replacement for real life.
Still confused about the differences between AR, VR, and mixed reality? Find out what mixed reality is and how Microsoft, Meta, and Apple plan to implement it with our handy explainer.
Price Reported for Apple Vr and Mixed Reality Headset
There have been contradicting information about how much an Apple Virtual Reality or Mixed Reality Headset will cost. However, whispers point to a developer emphasis, suggesting that the price will likely be tailored to draw in coders.
Apple CEO Tim Cook has repeatedly stated that augmented reality is the company’s ultimate objective. Some say the headset is just the beginning of the company’s plans for wearable augmented reality.
The major purpose of the headgear is supposedly to get developers ready for the debut of Apple Glass and make sure the glasses will have app compatibility when they hit the market. According to rumours, Apple will not be looking to make a profit out of the headset in any way, shape, or form.
Mark Gurman has stated that the headset’s focus will be on gaming, media consumption, and communication, which would indicate that Apple is building the device with the consumer in mind.
Perhaps this will lead to a cheaper second-generation headset in the future. However, this doesn’t rule out the possibility of high costs and a focus on developers used for the initial generation of headsets.
There has been conflicting information about the price of Apple’s rumoured virtual reality (VR) and mixed reality (MR) headsets.
The Information reports that Apple’s Virtual Reality Headset could cost up to $3,000. However, the Microsoft HoloLens 2 can be had for a stunning $3,500, which is a lot more than most virtual reality gaming headsets cost.
Mark Gurman says the headset might go for more than $2,000 on the market. The high price tag is justified by the high-quality hardware used in the headset (perhaps including an Apple M1 Pro chip), the lengthy amount of time spent developing the headset, and the standard premium paid to all Apple products.
The final pricing, however, according to Ming-Chi Kuo, should be between $2,000 and $2,500. He also appeared to corroborate the January 2023 launch timeframe that had been speculated.
Regardless, the price tag will be considerably greater than that of competing standalone VR headsets. In comparison, the Oculus Quest 2 can be purchased for $300.
Apple Virtual Reality and Mixed Reality Headset Rumours
As to a report in The Information(opens in new tab), the VR/AR headset would have 12 tracking cameras that can send data to two 8K monitors in front of the user’s eyes. Also, it has been said that the headset would have LiDAR sensors.
However, Display Supply Chain Consultants (DSCC) disputes this, asserting that Sony is producing 1.4-inch diagonal 4K panels for Apple’s headgear. In its remarks, DSCC did note that LiDAR could still be a viable option, so keep that in mind.
In case you were wondering, LiDAR is a technology that measures distance with lasers to swiftly and precisely map out an area. This data has previously been used by the high-end iPad Pro and the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max to improve the augmented reality placement of things.
Furthermore, DSCC hints that Apple may pack three screens inside its headset. One huge rear AMOLED display with a lower resolution is possible, in addition to the two 4K Sony displays. A foveated display, as the article claims, would be possible for Apple to develop with this.
The fovea, located at the centre of the retina at the back of one’s eye, is the focal point of a foveated display. The fovea aids in enhancing focal clarity.
A foveated virtual reality (VR) headset might employ eye tracking to sharpen the image just where the user’s gaze is focused while decreasing the detail in the surrounding area. Check out this video by the channel SweViver on YouTube; it does a great job of describing fixed foveated rendering (FFR).
The idea that Sony is making the screens for Apple’s rumoured mixed reality headset has a grain of truth to it. OLEDoS screens, which employ silicon instead of glass substrates to generate incredible resolutions, are rumoured to be used in Apple’s forthcoming headgear.
Sony, Samsung, and LG are all developing OLEDoS panels; rumours have it that Sony and LG will supply displays for the first version of Apple’s VR/AR headset and that Samsung and LG will do the same for the second.
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Apple’s Reported Vr and Mixed Reality Headset Features
Apple’s headgear emphasises mixed reality. Mark Gurman said the headgear will have external cameras to test hand-tracking and gesture control. A virtual keyboard may allow air typing.
One story indicates Apple’s AR/VR headset isn’t focused on games. Given that early adopter like gaming features, that seems odd.
The Apple VR/AR headset may not use sensors. The Information reported that users can wear a “thimble-like” device on their finger for hand tracking and other controls.
Gurman reports that Apple’s “most advanced and powerful CPUs” will power the headgear. Apple’s VR headset chip may be stronger than the M1 Mac chip.
Gurman later reported that the headset will use the M2 chip and 16GB of RAM. It’s not Apple Silicon’s most powerful chip, but it’s efficient and powerful.
Kuo’s latest rumour suggests the headgear would have a brace or CPUs, suggesting Apple won’t skimp on power.
Kuo thinks that the higher-end processor will be similar to the M1 for Mac, while the lower-end processor will handle sensor-related processing.
The Information(opens in new tab) reports that the headgear will include two processors, with the main CPU equivalent to the M2 chip coming later this year in devices like the new MacBook Air.
Kuo claims that gear will use a lot of power. The headset will supposedly have a 96W MacBook charger to power everything.
“Highly sensitive 3D sensing modules” could enable hand gesture controls and object detection, Kuo said recently.
“The AR/MR headset can detect not only the location change of the user or other people’s hand and item in front of the user’s eyes but also the dynamic detail change of the hand,” he forecasts.
Kuo hypothesised that when people open their hands, the system may track this action and create an image of a balloon floating away.
Apple’s recent patent wins may reveal other planned features like finger movements. Apple has filed patents to connect wearables with its VR/AR mixed reality headset and maybe Apple Glasses.
These technologies enable finger motions with wearables like two Apple Watches and a VR glove. These motions could let users scroll pages and hang up calls.
Apple Insider found a patent for smart rings that track finger and hand movements. This could enhance external cameras in VR and mixed-reality headsets.
The patent also covers detecting user-held items like an Apple Pencil. The headset will see what you want and adjust its functioning. If you hold an Apple Pencil, it knows you want to write instead of type. etc.
Apple will use foldable “3P pancake lenses” to reflect light between the display and lenses, according to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. This could enable a tiny, lightweight headset.
According to Ming-Chi Kuo, the headset will support Wi-Fi 6E, allowing it to connect to another device and transfer large amounts of data with low latency. This implies the headset could let an iPhone or Mac do all the work and beam it to the headset without a wire.
Apple can save weight and extend battery life by not processing in the headset.
The Information claims Apple will add iris scanning to the VR/AR headset. For shared devices, the headset may verify the user immediately. Like Face ID and Touch ID on iOS devices, it can authenticate purchases.
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Design of the Apple Vr and Mixed Reality Headset
Coming from early 2021, The Information claims to have seen concept art for Apple’s rumoured mixed reality headgear. This appears to be based on work done by Apple engineers on early prototypes, and may not be representative of the final device.
Following the leak from The Information earlier this year, concept artist Ian Zelbo produced some conceptual artwork depicting a hypothetical headset’s design.
Since this is an Apple product, we anticipate that the mixed-reality headset will feature some degree of sleek industrial design with a focus on user ergonomics.
Ming-Chi Kou has stated, for what it’s worth, that the Apple headset will weigh between 300 and 400 grammes (just under a pound) when it first hits the market. Kou explains that a lighter variant is now being developed for a later release.
Apple Glasses RealityOS
Developers who have been keeping a close eye on the App Store have noticed references to “realityOS” in the logs of apps being uploaded to the store, suggesting that Apple is working on a new operating system for its upcoming device.
Although details are scarce, it makes sense that Apple would develop a specialised operating system for its virtual reality and augmented reality products. We would venture a guess that this OS would share more similarities with iOS than macOS.
Apple’s Virtual Reality and Mixed Reality Headset: Will You Purchase It?
Recent reports and analyses imply that Apple’s augmented reality/virtual reality headgear will cater mostly to professionals and software engineers. The goal is to give programmers a working gadget with which to practise creating augmented reality applications before Apple’s anticipated release of its own AR glasses.
Apple’s rumoured augmented reality/virtual reality headset has been reported to cost anywhere from $3,000 to “several thousand dollars.”
However, the Apple headset’s allure may erode with time if the highly anticipated Apple Glasses don’t arrive for at least a few more years. The more time developers spend with it, the more apps they can make for it, and the more appealing it will be to own. That is unless the price keeps people away.
Of course, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has predicted that Apple may release a new headset in 2024. That’s ten times as many as the Oculus Quest 2, he says, and that’s why it’s going to sell so well. Hopefully, this headset will have a wider general market appeal.
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List for an Apple Vr and Mixed Reality Headset
Long-term comfort: Virtual reality headsets typically have issues that make them uncomfortable to wear for extended periods of time. After about half an hour, the discomfort usually begins to escalate. The longer you can keep going, the more important it is that the headset be comfy right out of the box.
When it comes to the comfort of its upcoming mixed reality headset, Apple can undoubtedly take a page out of the AirPods Pro’s book.
Solid battery life: Currently available solo headsets have poor battery life. The maximum amount of time you may spend in VR with the Oculus Quest 2 is three hours. We expect at least this much battery life from Apple’s virtual reality and mixed reality gear.
A focus on fitness: The Apple headset may be a game-changer for the fitness industry if it is compatible with Apple Fitness Plus and the Apple Watch. The device could be used in the gym so users could track their progress with the help of personal trainers.
Proper AR: We expect robust augmented reality functionality if Apple is going to launch its wearable AR attempts with a mixed-reality headset.
Even though users will always be aware of the headset, Apple should give its best effort to make any see-through augmented reality features appear as natural as feasible. This includes having a wide viewing angle, low latency, and high-quality images.
No gimmicks: Apple should at least make sure there’s a use case for the mixed reality headset if it is indeed a developer gadget being offered to the public. If the headgear is truly so pricey, there’s no need to rush its availability. Offer something more than just a logo to entice folks to buy one.
