Apple Delays Debut of AR/VR Headset Until June

[MacRumors]

Apple is now planning to introduce its AR/VR headset in June instead of April, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, with the debut of the device pushed back two months. It is expected to see an unveiling at the Worldwide Developers Conference.

Concept render by Ian Zelbo​

Apple initially planned to reveal the AR/VR headset at an April event, but it is no longer going to be able to make that timeline and decided to delay it earlier this month. After continued product testing, Apple determined that there are still hardware and software issues that need to be fixed.

This is not the first time that Apple has pushed back the launch timeline for the headset, with the company originally planning to introduce it in mid-2022. The timeline shifted to January 2023 later in 2022, then April 2023, and now June 2023. It is not clear what the delay means for a prospective spring event as Apple has few other major device updates in the works, but we could potentially see a 15-inch MacBook Air and the launch of the new Apple silicon Mac Pro.

After the headset is shown off at WWDC, Apple will continue to work on it before putting it up for sale later in the year. Gurman cautions that the timing of the launch could change again, but Apple wants to have it available for purchase by the end of 2023 if at all possible because it is the headline product of the year.

Apple is still working to fix problems with the hand and eye control functions. Rumors suggest that users will be able to control the headset with both eye movements and hand gestures, selecting an app with a glance and then activating it with a pinch gesture, for example.

When it launches, the headset is expected to be priced somewhere around $3,000, which will limit its appeal to consumers. Apple is already working on a second-generation device that will be more affordable. More information on Apple's AR/VR headset development can be found in our dedicated roundup.

Article Link: Apple Delays Debut of AR/VR Headset Until June

 

[macsplusmacs]

The timing is better, and in person WWDC will mean everyone who flew in for the for it, can try the Apple Super Goggles first hand.

 

[mnsportsgeek]

Not a big deal. WWDC is the better platform to launch an entirely new product segment that will need significant developer support to succeed.

 

[Kylo83]

that means the updates for software at WWDC will be minor and they will focus on the headset

 

[Macdel]

This is always the pattern. Apple leaks when it’s releasing something. Then right before the date it “gets delayed” to let people think it’s not coming. Then they release it at the original “leaked” time.

1. Leak
2. Delay
3. Release

 

[Apple Knowledge Navigator]

TC is squinting very hard right now and his engineers can feel it.
No seriously, they’re choking.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

Not surprised by this at all. It’s meant to be introduced during WWDC in person hands on.

Now, can we please get iOS 16.4 Beta 1?

 

[fel10]

1st gen
$3000

Already a hard pass for me

 

[fakestrawberryflavor]

Seems like standard operating procedure at this point, lets just hope the hardware inside it isn't too old by the time it actually hits the market.

 

[nikaru]

By the time this VR headset is released my two-years old son would be graduating from college. ..

When the rumors started? 2016?

 

[seek3r]

1st gen
$3000

Already a hard pass for me

It's pretty clear that when this thing gets introduced the first gen is aimed at only 2 real categories of users:

1) Developers in this space who need to get their hands on hardware to start working on things they think consumers will want further down the road

2) Consumers with a lot of money to burn on something that isn't really consumer focused yet

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

I’m still convinced this is what the plan was all along.
A $3000 headset is mainly going to appeal to developers, who should have plenty of experiences ready in a year and a half or so, when Apple introduces the reality SE or whatever that’s a grand and a half cheeper.
Also, outside of the iPhone event, the worldwide developers conference is the second biggest event of the year. Biggest if we’re just talking about the number of people who see it in person.
It makes all the sense in the world to announce their new platform, mainly aimed at developers, at the developers conference.
But it does tell me that the existing software updates this year will probably be relatively minor if they’re going to be announced at the exact same event as Apple’s first huge new category announcement since the Apple Watch.
Their events are usually about two hours, and I don’t see them dedicating any less than 90 minutes to the headset.
So…. maybe for everything else this year will be the snow leopard type updates everyone’s been asking for?

 

[nt5672]

I predict that after the Keynote it will take about 2 years to get all of the keynote features actually working as one would expect.

 

[Leon Ze Professional]

This is the more appropriate forum, makes sense.

 

[jz0309]

Wait, Gurman claimed Apr, right? And now he corrects himself…
Well, Apple will release it when it’s ready and I’ll watch from as far away as possible and.certainly will not spend $3k for this thing, gotta have a very compelling killer app/use case (not gaming)

 

[iamgalt]

Can you imagine where the development was at in mid-2022 when they first wanted to release it (if they actually did plan on that)? I'm not too interested in this, but WWDC is definitely a better forum to introduce it. It's going to need a lot of apps developed for it, in order for it to have a chance at succeeding.

 

[Edsel]

I have connections to Apple developers. This is their new AR/VR headset....

 

[nt5672]

I can see the excuses now, you're wearing it backwards.

 

[tweaknmod]

It's pretty clear that when this thing gets introduced the first gen is aimed at only 2 real categories of users:

1) Developers in this space who need to get their hands on hardware to start working on things they think consumers will want further down the road

2) Consumers with a lot of money to burn on something that isn't really consumer focused yet

3) Tech nerds who love getting their hands on bleeding edge tech, just to see what incredible things the engineers, designers, and developers are able to do with the latest hardware.

*this post is sponsored by my bursting-at-the-seams credit card.

 

[Andres Cantu]

I lost track already about how many times this thing has been delayed.

Only the mythical Apple car surpasses this record.

 

[seek3r]

3) Tech nerds who love getting their hands on bleeding edge tech, just to see what incredible things the engineers, designers, and developers are able to do with the latest hardware.

*this post is sponsored by my bursting-at-the-seams credit card.

Fair enough, and guilty there too, though I'll do my best to avoid this

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

I lost track already about how many times this thing has been delayed.

Only the mythical Apple car surpasses this record.

Add the announced Apple AirPower to the list as well. Still hoping Apple may release it some day.

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[lovehateapple]

I just hope whenever it gets released, the bugs are all worked out and it wows us all. By Christmas / Black Friday would be nice.

 

[fatTribble]

This could be the purchase that marks the beginning of the end to my direct interactions with other humans. Bwahahaha. 🤭🤓

 

[kirk.vino]

yawn….who cares at this point. It’s not like there will be thousands lining up to get one at 3K LOL