10 Cutting Edge Features to Expect From Apple's Upcoming AR/VR Headset

[MallardDuck]

I blew off the original iPad as 'why would I want that if I have a laptop' and now use both every day (iPad to consume content, Mac to create it).

this one though? I honestly have no idea what I'd do with it. I don't play multiplayer online games, and the single player/couch coop genre is dying (And besides, then we'd have to buy two...and rumored price point is really high).

more than anything else, this one will be about software and applications. I'll sit and wait until we actually find something to do with it. I suspect I may, but it'll be years.

 

[aibloop]

The Reality OS app store will be ran down by devs hoping to get that "early bird" advantage. And it is not trivial. There will be so much crap thrown at the wall that something is surely bound to stick and stick well.

 

[Born Again]

To be fair, people change their mind all the time. The problem is now we have the internet to eternally log our opinions and then have people shout “hypocrisy” when we change them.

That’s fine but what changed? Apple branding ? Technology improvements?

 

[antiprotest]

$2500 for 32GB, for unusable edition.

$4000 for 256GB, for regular edition.

$8000 for 512GB, for pro edition.

 

[aibloop]

I sincerely hope Apple provides physical controllers as an option. Any sustained use of just hands/fingers alone will be extremely tiring. Controllers are a good thing. Ask any gamer!

But Steve JObs said we already have 5 controllers on each hand! I can`t wait to see what kind of boneheaded mess that will be.

I think the only rumour I have seen is a ring. Which is ridiculous at this early stage! I mean, we have barely even met... its too early apple! I dont even kiss on the 1st date 😗

 

[lusty]

I do think AR is the future, but a 2030 future. I think the tech of today is just... not ready yet.

Try Microsoft HoloLens you may be surprised. Lots of real world application and has been working great for years now. It’s not perfect, but what it does it does extremely well. Apple likely have access to better/nicer hardware so it’ll be interesting to see what they come up with and who it’s aimed at.

 

[ponzicoinbro]

See, the basic disconnect here is that you think Horizon Worlds is "the best". It's not! The whole reason Meta is trying to force internal employees to use it is that none of them actually like it.

For contrast, see VRChat

Admitting you use VRChat is a really bad look.

It’s terribly buggy, full of trolls and virtual sex abuse. People upload VRChat fails and lol videos to youtube to make fun of it.

If you’re trying to create a platform for the mainstream, VRChat is the last thing you want to use an example.

Also, everything VRChat does can be done in a browser window or regular gaming app without VR. So it’s not a solution to a problem that most computer users were asking for.

 

[ponzicoinbro]

People love to moralize about Facebook....right before they log on. Add up Insta, Wahtsapp and Facebook apps and you have Apple's most popular company. Meta. Sorry but Meta users and Apple Users are one and the same. You are the exception.

The trajectory right now shows us:

Meta share price will most likely go down to about $80.

Meta will be broken up.

Apple will intercept all criticisms and misinformation and make the minimal changes needed to avoid legal action.

A certain security situation in the US in less than a year from now will force governments and companies to eradicate bots, crypto scams and shills, and extremism on platforms once and for all.

 

[Piggie]

Much more powerful phone? These devices will dwarf the capabilities and requirements of phone processing. Think MBP fully loaded.

Battery Life and Cooling?
How's that going to work then?

 

[iZac]

Also, everything VRChat does can be done in a browser window or regular gaming app without VR. So it’s not a solution to a problem that most computer users were asking for.

Yeah I mean most anything done in VR can be simulated in a regular 2D device.

In principle any digital social space from an ICQ chatroom to Facebook to Fortnite is a 'metaverse' and the only difference here is Zuck wants to strap your monitor to your face to experience it.

I'm all for VR as a new input device but the massive fragmentation of services (Meta/WMR/Steam and soon Apple) and this cheerleading from corporations that 'the metaverse is coming' is nonsense, it will just gradually evolve in the same way that digital communication has over the last 30+ years.

iPads and iPhones already have LIDAR scanners to display a bunch of AR content that Apple will 'innovate' on Reality OS so everyone can join in on a new platform or feature wether it's on a 6" screen or a pair of VR glasses.

 

[8KYUP]

Battery Life and Cooling?
How's that going to work then?

Battery life could be managed a number of ways. One is to borrow from Meta and use a long USBC dongle for seated work (most work) and back of strap batteries. These could easily be hot swappable. Even with Meta 1-2 hour battery life that is a very good solution. As for heat, they will work within their boundaries, as always. My aluminum head will make a great heat sink .

 

[8KYUP]

It is funny to see videos like this touting new features that have been available on the lowly Quest 2 for a while now. Additionally, you do not need to be tethered or paired to a laptop for multi monitor usage but I am sure he will get to that later.

 

[QueerAnon]

Is apple gonna make this Mac and iPhone only or be smart and not ignore two GIANT markets allow android and PC user to use it as well? Either way it's still gonna be too expensive for the general public. It honestly can't be that hard to make a good Xbox/switch prices VR headset in 2022 right?

 

[cupcakes2000]

Battery life could be managed a number of ways. One is to borrow from Meta and use a long USBC dongle for seated work (most work)

I’m not sure keeping it plugged in counts as managing battery life!

 

[fathergll]

Just because it’s an advancement doesn’t mean it doesn’t suck. Look at 3d tv.

AR looks interesting, VR, for most things, sucks...and I’m not wearing goggles.

I never said it sucked or didn't suck. I made fun of a computer nerd trying to make fun of other computer nerds on a forum alluding to them not being social enough with the opposite sex. We're all computer nerds here posting on a forum about Apple rumors so trying to make fun of others in that sense is quite hilarious.

 

[8KYUP]

I’m not sure keeping it plugged in counts as managing battery life!

It doesn't. It is just like with a laptop, plug it in at your desk, battery when you are away from your desk. A hot swap option would be nice if battery life is on the short side.

 

[Allen_Wentz]

A definite pass for me, while I can see many use cases (primarily business ones) I do t know how the average consumer will benefit in their day-to-day life from this device that clearly seems to be getting a hefty price tag.
But all the power to you early adopters…

This will be an entire new category of product, and clearly v1 would not be aimed at the average consumer. Price alone will exclude the average consumer from the mix, plus AR/VR functions will be cutting(bleeding)-edge new with many usages yet to evolve. The average consumer will have no place here until v3 or so.

OTOH business IMO will adopt well-done AR fairly quickly.

 

[Allen_Wentz]

It doesn't matter what type of technology Apple brings to the table with VR/AR if they cannot manage to start competing in the gaming space. Gaming is the killer VR app. PS5 VR will destroy Apple because there are fun things to do with it, not because the tech is necessarily better.

1) AR is very relevant and it has nothing to do with gaming. Aggressively going after VR gaming is not any kind of necessity for success.

2) If Apple's hardware is very superior, many VR usages are likely to go there. Including some gaming.

 

[Allen_Wentz]

More generic and broadly appealing than games?

Games comprise a very large market. But they are still just games. There is a lot more to the world than just games.

 

[Allen_Wentz]

Really difficult for getting excited by yet another VR headset, especially after meta already released quest pro that already has many of the rumoured features and possibly at a fraction of the cost… but most importantly actually exists already.

Personally I think that for many years we won’t have the technology or the ecosystem for most people to be interested in this market. It’s still a niche and it probably will be for the medium term.

Folks who simplistically think in terms of "yet another VR headset" will indeed not envision the possibilities. However after doing some homework on what AR is, one may be able to broaden one's perspective.

 

[Allen_Wentz]

For what it will cost the most important feature it better have is a reason to buy it. ‘Because it’s Apple’ will only go but so far. it will be a very expensive headset just to game on and if Apple Arcade is any hint to the quality of games offered, then it’s doomed from the start. It’s going to have to demonstrate a ‘need’ rather than just a ‘want’.

Think AR not simplistically just games!

 

[FlyingTexan]

Would be amazing if they'd let it integrate with a PC.

 

[MNLondon]

I have a lazy eye, and cannot use binoculars, or Sony Playstation's VR system. I can certainly see with both eyes with spectacles or contact lenses, so I will be looking to see whether Apple will support people like me in the development of this device. I would love to be able to use it .

 

[Jensend]

I’d be onboard if they can sort out using glasses in the thing. The Oculus didn’t do it well and having to purchase additional lenses to insert into it is too much of a pain, especially when your prescription can change over time And when someone else in the family wants to use it. Make it comfortable with glasses for use, please!

Leaving enough space for glasses makes a VR headset larger and heavier. The closer to your eyes the VR lenses are, the smaller the lenses can be for a given FOV. Diopter adjustment, custom lenses, or lens inserts are the best way to go.

Micro OLEDs + pancake lenses will require CRAZY HIGH display brightness output for a good HDR experience! (The Quest 2 hits a mere 100nits when maxed out. Apple's headset otoh will likely peak around >≈500-1000nits when viewing native HDR content! O_O)

OLED displays require less brightness than LCD for good HDR performance because they have an infinite contrast ratio.

Is apple gonna make this Mac and iPhone only or be smart and not ignore two GIANT markets allow android and PC user to use it as well? Either way it's still gonna be too expensive for the general public. It honestly can't be that hard to make a good Xbox/switch prices VR headset in 2022 right?

Your question is nonsense. This isn't going to be a peripheral like a monitor, it's going to be a full on computer, like the iPhone or iMac, so it likely won't require an iPhone or Mac. You may be able to stream from a PC like a Quest can, just like you can use cloud streaming to play console games on an Apple device.

 

[E.Lizardo]

I’ll only buy one if it will be compatible with my 44mm AW band.

In my case no floppy disc no deal!