Source: www.tomsguide.com
To updateNote: While Apple may go after the Oculus Quest 2 with its headset, it won’t be joining Facebook in the metaverse. Apparently that whole concept is “off limits”.
On paper, the iPhone 14 is an easy pick for Apple’s biggest product of 2022, but it won’t be. Yes, the iPhone still accounts for about half of the company’s revenue, and big things are expected from the new iPhones next year.
If you’ve been following the iPhone 14 rumours, the mini model might go away in favor of a new 6.7-inch iPhone 14 Max. And the iPhone 14 Pro models might be ditching the dreaded notch in favor of a hole-punch display.
Also, the iPhone 14 may be the first iPhone to adopt USB-C connectivity, and we’ve heard that the main camera could get a big upgrade from 12MP to 48MP. That’s a lot to chew on.
But I’m telling you right now none of that matters, at least when you consider that Apple is expected to enter a whole new category with its first Apple AR/VR headset. And it will go right after Meta (formerly Oculus) and its headphone lineup.
“The importance of Apple’s entry into a new product category cannot be understated,” says Avi Greengart, founder of Techsponential. “Apple’s success in reinventing nascent product categories, bringing them into its ecosystem and making them mainstream draws unique attention from both consumers and app developers.”
Apple’s success in reinventing nascent product categories, bringing them into its ecosystem and making them mainstream attracts unique attention from both consumers and app developers.
Avi Greengart, Techsponential
Based on multiple reports and leaks, Apple’s mixed reality device has the potential to send shockwaves through the tech industry, and also unnerve Meta (formerly Facebook with its Oculus headset business).
For one thing, Apple is reportedly developing its own silicon for its mixed reality headsets. (opens in a new tab) with serious power. In fact, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo says that the “high-end processor will have similar computing power as the M1 for Mac.” Reportedly, there is also a low-end chip for “sensor-related computing”.
Also, unlike the current Meta Quest 2, Apple’s mixed reality headset will offer both AR and VR experiences, and will apparently be very light at 300 to 400 grams. The Quest 2, which is our current best VR headset, weighs 532 grams.
Other rumored specs include dual 4K microLED displays, Wi-Fi 6E support, 15 optical modules, and eye tracking. Plus, you may not even need to use controllers, as Apple AR/VR headsets will reportedly track hand movements.
But the success or failure of Apple headphones won’t be based on specs or features.
“The biggest thing Apple can bring to AR and VR is clarity of purpose and design,” Greengart said. “What problems does having a head-mounted display solve? How often and under what circumstances will you use it?”
Apple has a head start with fitness and health tracking with its Apple Watch 7 and Apple Fitness Plus service, and it would be a no-brainer for Apple to integrate both products into its AR and VR headsets.
Also, don’t forget that Apple has strong relationships with developers, so it could offer a great selection of apps and games for your headphones. After all, Apple has already been helping developers build AR apps for iPhone and iPad for the past few years through ARKit.
Of course, Meta isn’t sitting still, and it has a new AR/VR headset of its own on the way in the form of Project Cambria. There is no release date yet, but it is reported that it will be a high-end device.
The new Meta headset will take advantage of advanced sensors to track your facial expressions and could place digital objects in the real world, like multiple screens on your desk or a virtual training instructor in your living room.
However, there is a fundamental difference between Apple’s approach to virtual reality and augmented reality and Meta’s.
“Meta is trying to force a category into existence through sheer force of will and tens of billions of dollars. By heavily subsidizing hardware, the Oculus Quest 2 VR headset is much more affordable than it otherwise would be, and this has driven adoption even before the initial use cases, [like] games and fitness were clear,” Greengart said.
However, Greengart says the tradeoff for this affordability is that Meta will monetize its platform with advertising, which has privacy tradeoffs. Apple makes more money from its hardware and therefore can prioritize user privacy.
Apple’s first mixed reality headset could face some serious challenges in terms of mainstream adoption. On the one hand, the price is reported to be $1,000 or more.
Can Apple AR/VR headsets sell for $1,000?
Apple’s first mixed reality headset could face some serious challenges in terms of mainstream adoption. On the one hand, the price is reported to be $1,000 or more. And there is still a stigma for many in terms of wearing a VR/AR headset for any length of time. As our senior editor Philip Michaels recently said, “Apple needs to give us a reason to care about mixed reality.” (opens in a new tab).”
But one shouldn’t underestimate Apple, as it’s reportedly already planning to release a second AR/VR headset in 2023, and eventually an even lighter pair of Apple Glasses that could work with your iPhone. So the company is clearly in this for the long haul.
But will the hype translate into sales? At least for early adopters, I’d say yes, as long as the product works as advertised.
“Apple is extremely good at convincing consumers that they want whatever it is selling,” Greengart said. “This is partly a function of good product design, but also an understanding of messaging that began with Steve Jobs and remains in the company’s DNA.”
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