Apple has been working on a mixed reality headset for a while, and as a sign that it’s nearing completion, a new report claims Apple has shown the device to its board members.
Apple’s mixed reality headset is finally around the corner
Mark Gurman and Bloomberg report that last week Apple first presented “a version” of its upcoming mixed-reality headset to its board of directors, consisting of eight independent members and CEO Tim Cook. The company is also said to have ramped up development of its operating system, realityOS (internally referred to as “rOS”).
The move is seen as a sign that development has reached an “advanced stage”. The Silicon Valley-based giant has yet to comment on the progress of its first headset, though these latest developments suggest a public announcement could be just months away.
Apple was reportedly aiming for an official debut at WWDC 2022 next month. But issues on the hardware side, especially related to overheating, have delayed the announcement. Long before that, the company was originally aiming for a 2019 debut with a release the following year. However, delays pushed this back to 2021, before additional delays moved it to the current timeline.
What will Apple’s first mixed-reality headset bring to the table?
Apple’s mixed-reality headset is rumored to use ultra-high-resolution 4K micro-OLED displays along with eye-tracking capabilities and hand gesture support, allowing users to control the wearable with ease. In addition, there is reportedly a powerful, custom Apple processor that is equivalent in performance to the M1 chipsets used in the MacBook and iPad ranges.
Concept renders from Meta’s Project Cambria
All of this will eventually serve as a stepping stone to Apple’s true consumer-oriented product: a pair of Apple AR glasses, which should be significantly more affordable.
Apple could enter the AR/VR market at the right time
The AR and VR headset market is still in its infancy, but the devices are slowly becoming more mainstream thanks to entries from Meta, Sony’s PlayStation and HTC Vive. A new report today from Counterpoint Research reveals that Meg’s Quest 2, the first VR headset to exceed 10 million lifetime sales.
That number pales in comparison to the number of smartphones and smartwatches shipped each year, but it represents significant progress for the segment. And with Apple’s power to win over consumers, entering the market in the coming year could be the perfect time to catch up with Sony and Meta and become the market leader in yet another product category.