Apple’s VR/AR headset is coming. Here’s everything we know so far

What is this Apple headset?

The Apple Mixed Reality Headset is a virtual/augmented reality headset from Apple. Apple’s version will provide many of the same functions as the headsets on the market right now, but will likely feature more advanced technology.

VR headsets are at the cutting edge of consumer technology right now and Meta, Google and other big tech companies have been eyeing the space for years, so it’s not a huge surprise that Apple wants to get in on it too. When it comes to new products Apple has a tendency to wait and see rather than be the first to market. But the big question is whether the market (and consumer interest) for VR and AR headsets has really reached the point Apple needs to get involved.

There have been rumors about the headset for years, but other than a few comments from top Apple executives and a steady stream of rumor, there’s little in the way of concrete evidence that it exists. The existence of the headset hasn’t been definitively confirmed by Apple. However, analysts and fans have been keeping a close eye on Apple’s movements and have been able to dig up clues about the headset’s specs. Here’s everything we know.

What will the Apple headset be called?

The filed patents give us a clue about the name of the Apple headset, which will likely include the word “reality.” Back in August, Bloomberg reported that Apple, a shell company linked to law firms, has previously filed trademark applications in several countries for the names “Reality One”, “Reality Pro” and “Reality Processor”.

A few months before that, another Shell company filed two patents for “RealityOS,” which could refer to the software the headset would use. It is not uncommon for a large tech company like Apple to use a shell company to maintain secrecy. Prior to the announcement of the macOS names Yosemite and Monterey, Apple used the shell company “Yosemite Research LLC” to register the names.

How much is the headset expected to cost?

according to bloomberg, we can expect the headset to cost anywhere between $2,000 and $3,000 because of the M2 chip it will use, the higher number of cameras, and the higher-resolution display. This puts Apple’s headset at a higher price than its market competitors. Meta’s Quest Pro headset costs $1,500 and the HTC Vive Focus 3 costs $1,300.

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When did the rumors of the Apple headset concept start circulating?

Rumors of a top-secret Apple VR/AR headset began in 2017 when Bloomberg reported on “rOS”, an operating system being built to run VR products. At the time, Bloomberg predicted the product would be ready to ship by 2020, but today — six years after the rumor began — we know how that guess turned out.

When is the expected release date?

As per the latest estimates, we shouldn’t have to wait much longer despite the frequent delays. Initially, the product was expected to launch in 2019, and then it was delayed to 2020, 2021, 2022 and now to 2023.

The general expectation was that Apple would release the product in January 2023 and shipments would follow at the end of the year. However, that plan has also backfired.

Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman believes the tech giant will now announce the headset this spring, ahead of the annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June. Apple often uses WWDC to announce products. At the 2022 WWDC, Apple announced its new software updates for the iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple Watch, as well as the latest iteration of its signature silicon chip.

Apple-focused analyst Ming-Chi Kuo’s predictions also coincided with Gurman’s. In December, Kuo said that we can expect a launch in the second half of 2023 due to software-related issues.

“My latest poll indicates that the mass shipment schedule of Apple’s MR headsets may be delayed to 2H23 due to software-related issues (versus the previous estimate of 2Q23),” Kuo said in a statement. do,

Apple has yet to confirm the existence of the headset or when we can expect a launch.

Are there prototypes?

Gurman reports that Apple has already shared the product with high-profile software developers for testing, suggesting that there is a nearly finished product, or at least a prototype already out there. The internal codename for Apple’s first headset is the N301. according to bloomberg, A later model, the N602, and a lighter set of augmented reality glasses, codenamed the N421, can be expected to launch by the end of the decade.

Aren’t there headsets you can already use with Apple products?

If you really want to explore AR/VR, there are already devices on the market that will allow you to do so. Meta’s Quest 2 is at the bottom of headset prices without compromising on value. ZDNET ranked it as the best overall VR headset due to its easy setup, comfortable controls, excellent tracking, and high-resolution display.

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If you’re a proud participant in the Apple ecosystem, the HoloKit X is a more affordable option. This headset uses Apple’s technology to create an AR experience. The iPhone acts as the headset’s eyes, and all you have to do is pair it with an app to turn it on. The headset also has an Apple Watch integration, which enables motion tracking on your wrist, so you can play games that require handheld movement. To watch ZDNET editor Joon Wan use the headset and cast spells in his AR experience, click here.

Who is the target audience for the headset?

The Apple headset is anticipated to be a top-of-the-line headset packed with bells and whistles that would be ideal for professionals or people who are really invested in AR/VR. If you’re interested in exploring and playing with AR/VR, a more affordable, existing headset may be a better option for you.

How will the launch of Apple affect the industry?

With talk of a possible metaverse on the horizon, more companies are developing AR/VR headsets and interest in the space continues to grow. In typical Apple fashion, the tech giant waited until other companies had tried their hand and built public interest before entering the scene.

The first modern AR/VR headset, the Oculus Rift, was launched in March 2016. Since then, Meta — which acquired Oculus in 2014 — has continued to develop and launch VR/AR sets, culminating in its latest 2022 headset. As Meta Quest Pro. During those six years as Meta continued to grow in the space, Apple waited.

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“After Apple launches the AR/MR headset, I expect Apple’s global rivals to compete to copy it, driving the headset hardware industry into the next phase of rapid development and benefiting the related services and content ecosystem.” will do,” Kuo wrote,

In the past, when Apple finally decided to enter a niche, it revolutionized and dominated it, generating new interest and raising the bar for the product. It’s fair to assume that Apple will have a similar impact on the AR/VR space when the headset drops.