Source: news.google.com
Whether it’s revealed at the spring “Peek Performance” event or later in the year, an Apple AR/VR headset is almost certainly in the works. Highly anticipated for many years, the headset will arrive with the Facebook/Meta Oculus Quest 2 firmly in control of the growing market. What the iPhone maker has learned from this product will go a long way in determining its success.
I am somewhat new to the AR/VR space, but find it fascinating and even more so after spending some time with the Meta product. Based on that, I have some ideas about what the Apple AR/VR headset needs to become the company’s next big thing.
Various features on both the hardware and software side are essential for Apple AR/VR headsets to be widely successful. Notice that I used the word large not here niche. I expect that one of the biggest surprises of the headset will be its many out-of-the-box uses that will go beyond the most obvious one, gaming. Other factors are also important, such as content, battery life, and feel.
Note: Apple VR/AR headset mockup photos are from LetsGoDigital and Concept Creator.
Comfort
The Oculus Quest 2 is said to be much more comfortable than its predecessor, but it still hurts in the head after just a few minutes of play. Meta’s extra “elite” strap improves things, but not enough.
I have no doubt that Apple has learned from this and will release a product that is much easier on the head and ears. However, for this to work, the company must consider the many head sizes that exist. Just as it offers a 41mm and 45mm Apple Watch to fit different wrist sizes, Apple should either offer different sized straps for earphones or make one strap easy enough to adjust to fit everyone.
A prescription?
Third parties currently offer prescription lenses for the Oculus Quest 2. Wouldn’t it be nice if Apple did the same for their product? Although this sounds much more like a second-generation product option, Apple would make a lot of people happy by offering this type of service from day one.
Battery duration
The Oculus Quest 2 offers 2 1/2 hours of battery life between charges, though this can differ significantly depending on what you’re doing. For around $100 extra, you can buy the Oculus Quest 2 Elite Battery Strap and double this amount.
With Apple Watches still stuck at 18 hours of runtime for many generations, I don’t expect Apple AR/VR headsets to set the world on fire in terms of battery life. And yet, we can all hope that whatever the number is, it will increase in future generations. In the meantime, fast charging would be nice. Meta headphones take about an hour to reach 100%. Hopefully, Apple’s device offers similar capabilities.
Storage
I honestly have no idea what storage is necessary for an AR/VR headset. The Oculus Quest 2 is available with 128GB or 256GB, which sounds good, but I’m not basing it on any science. Two initial tiers of storage seem about right for Apple’s device, though don’t be surprised if we only get one at launch.
content is king
I’m very impressed with what Meta has been doing on the Oculus Quest 2 content front. It’s an experience that’s primarily focused on gaming, which shouldn’t come as a surprise. However, the fitness, entertainment, and social offerings are also there, and from what I hear, they are getting better with each passing month.
Apple headphones should have no problem overlaying Meta with content right from the start. After all, the App Store brings users to the iPhone and iPad again and again. I expect Apple’s first AR/VR demos to focus on gaming, though I think the company will surprise us more in fitness. Apple Fitness+ should fit nicely with AR/VR, and integration with Apple Watch should be expected.
I’m very excited to see what Apple plans on the entertainment front. Third parties like Netflix, YouTube, and NBA League Pass have a presence on Meta headsets with varying degrees of success. My favorite entertainment feature is Bigscreen, a virtual theater where you can watch movies with family and friends. I hope Apple takes its TV app to fun new levels in AR/VR and fully incorporates Apple TV+ into the product. Early third-party partners like Disney’s HBO Max could really add some excitement for those less inclined to play on a virtual headset.
Price
Rumors have suggested that Apple will charge up to $3,000 for your new headphones. This makes no sense, especially when you can buy the Oculus Quest 2 for just $299. Instead, I expect the Apple AR/VR headset to launch for just under $1,000, maybe as little as $700. Apple may offer the headset as premium product at these price points, but still make it affordable for your everyday customers who buy one of the best iPhones every year.
what others think
The iMore team is very excited about the arrival of an Apple AR/VR headset and has mixed opinions on what we want to see with it.
Jaclyn Kilani, for example, hopes it will be “smaller and (more) streamlined” than what’s on the market today, while Joe Wituschek suggests this is simply a stepping stone to AR goggles.
Luke Filipowicz expects Apple to focus on consumer-grade features, but he’s worried about the rumored price, like everyone else. However, Carli Velocci suggests it. No be a customer product from the start, so “the high price might not even matter.”
What you say?
It’s not very often that Apple announces a new product line, which is exactly what an AR/VR headset would become. So what do you hope to see in it? What should it be called? We’d love to hear his thoughts in the comments below!
Read More at news.google.com