Source: news.google.com
For years, Apple had been rumored to be working on a headset that combined augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR), sometimes called mixed reality (MR), and the latest prediction we have about the device is that it will come to end of this year. .
Seasoned industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who usually knows what he’s talking about when it comes to Apple, has tweeted (opens in a new tab) (via 9to5Mac (opens in a new tab)) that AR/VR headsets are behind schedule due to certain hardware tests and the availability of software development tools.
That means, Kuo says, the shipping window can move from the second quarter of 2023 to the third quarter: July, August or September. Previous leaks, including one from Kuo, pointed to the device arriving in the first half of this year.
timing is everything
However, there is still a chance that Apple will announce the device early, well before it goes on sale. Kuo says that “based on the current development process,” it could have a big presentation at an event around March, or at Apple’s annual Worldwide Developers Conference in June.
Getting app developers on board with new hardware will be crucial: there won’t be too many buyers for an expensive AR/VR headset if there’s nothing major it can actually be used for.
From previous leaks, it would seem that Apple might be calling the operating system on the new realityOS device, though that’s not certain. After so many years of rumors and speculation, it’ll be fascinating to see what Apple has really managed to put together when the headphones finally make their big debut.
Analysis: An important move for Apple
It can be easy to take the mass-manufacturing operation Apple runs for granted: It produces millions of iPhones, iPads, Macs, and other pieces of hardware every month and (for the most part) manages to do it all without serious problems.
When it comes to entering a different product category, like an AR/VR headset (or a car), there’s a bit more of a challenge involved. The parts and processes are new, and that’s before we get to the question of whether or not anyone will actually buy it.
The Apple Watch was the last time Apple introduced something completely new, rather than an update to an existing product. After a somewhat rocky start, the wearable was finally embraced by consumers and is now an accessory in Apple’s range of hardware.
As with the smartwatch, the AR/VR headset will be something of a shot in the dark for Apple. It’s not a device category with a large number of existing devices on display, giving Apple more of a chance to set the standards for our mixed reality future.
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