Source: news.google.com
More Apple AR/VR headset features have been suggested in a paid report from The Information (opens in a new tab). While the article admits that the headphones are currently going through engineering validation to finalize the design and therefore the features are not yet set in stone, it gives us an interesting perspective on how Apple is overcoming the challenges of making its first virtual/augmented reality headset. .
For example, the headset will reportedly feature a dial control to move between VR and AR full-pass modes. As a mixed reality headset, we were curious how Apple would negotiate switching modes, and a physical switch seems like a good solution to the problem.
Another issue to address is making sure users can see what’s on the headset’s internal displays, taking into account their individual viewing needs. The Information reports that Apple is putting motorized lenses into the headphones, to automatically adjust to a user in the background. However, hopefully there will still be a manual adjustment.
A separate battery pack?
For power, the headset apparently uses a separate battery that is then connected with a cable. The power supply isn’t built into the headphones like rival products like the Meta Quest 2 or Meta Quest Pro, something that would make Apple’s headphones lighter to wear, but also less efficient to use.
We’ve heard a lot of different rumors about Apple’s AR/VR headsets over the past few years. It seems well established now that the headphones could use dual 4K micro-LED displays, a single external display to show the user’s face to others, AirPods integration for when using the built-in speakers are not appropriate (although currently only for models with the H2 Chip, like the AirPods Pro 2) and an Apple M2 chip that runs the program.
For the privilege of using this headset, expect to pay around $3,000. Users who find that price too high, which is probably most of us, would be better off waiting for the rumored Apple Glasses that will offer some of the same features but in a much cheaper package.
Apple AR/VR headsets are still believed to arrive in 2023, possibly towards the end of the year. As Apple’s first all-new product in several years, expect a big announcement event to show it off, whenever it’s over.
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