And don't forget all the fancy ones like Hermes that will cost more than the headset
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Apple Headset to Use 'New Proprietary Charging Connector' for External Battery
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They've already dug the hole next to the cache of Atari 2600 E.T. cartridges
I don't think this is technically a "MagSafe" variation. This may be closer to the magnets on XDR that allow the display to 'snap to' the $999 stand 'automagically" when you get them close. Similar the "magnet" to help correctly place the iMac 24" power cable. A 'guide' to get the pug into the hole the 'correct way' so that can then lock it into place as the last step.
It would only be "MagSafe" variation if the last "lock in place" step was optional. ( operator willing to let the headset crash if doing some activity that might pull cable out. ). MagSafe is only 'safe' because there is a battery in the Mac laptop. Likely, there is no battery here ( or in the XDR or in the iMac 24" ). Besides perhaps some 'coin sized' battery to keep the clock and low level power management chip running even if the main battery is dead ... there likely is no "fail over" power source here. Too many power draws on this headset ( several cameras , two 4K screens , two SoC chips , etc. )
Not just updates. DFU ( device reset ) and support service (diagnostics port and/or screen). If the operating system is 'borked' then Wi-Fi isn't going to work. Likewise if 'iris pattern' locked how is a tech support to get any diagnostic output? (there are some rumors of some external screen on the front , but that could be for just reality simple graphics. )
Unlikely it is for normal usage. Already a little awkward with one cable dangling out of headset. Two cables to two different phyiscailly bound location other objects (probably in different places) , is kind of a stretch. Lots of folks seem to have the use case of "put on googles and escape to alternative universe foo for 5-6 hours at time idlely sitting in a close to vegetative state in a chair" . VR zombies. I don't think apple is going for that.
Wi-Fi on a battery device also soaks up power. The power is scarcer commodity here. [ conceptually could plug both the battery pack into the wall and the headset into a computer/phone but at two cables at that point. ]
Also would be handy for back-ups. ( iCloud back up can't be the only option. )
Molding into the frame doesn't get rid of the weight. The battery weight is the primary problem here being address.
Moving the weight closer to the center of gravity of the body ( instead of solely supported by neck muscles) makes it easier to carry without discomfort over the long term. Also pragmatically makes it optionally scalable to. 2-3 packs hooked in series would 2-3x the run time if willing to trade the additional weight.
I know right? I have a fairly expensive headlamp with a waist mounted battery. It’s light as a feather and super comfortable. I guess if people really want to they can duct tape a brick to the back of their head.
Thank god. I was only a year or two out from being able to consolidate to the point of everything I own charging by USB-C. With long battery life on most of my devices and fairly quick charging, I might have been doing trips with literally only one cable in my bag. Now I can look forward to having more cables!
Every laptop has a battery inside. It was called MagSafe because your MBP was safe from being yanked off the table.
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Thank you! A reasonable voice speaking from experience! A thousand times more valuable than the snarky misinformed hot takes choking this thread with made up things to be outraged about!
Would only need a hibernation ( super deep sleep mode). Since there is eye scanners the system should go to sleep after take it off. Very Low battery state would make that more the deep hibernation state where just move all RAM state off to persistent storage. And then rapid turn on . Essentially an extension of close lid on laptop (with no monitors plugged in).
Only need a battery to run the clock and lowest level power management system. That could be a coin sized battery. The main RAM and most of the power draws are turned off. The multitude of cameras , the two 4K screens, two SoCs .... something is going to get turned off even if have an internal battery incrementally larger than a coin sized battery in there. Some at least some subsystems are going to have to reboot during the change. It won't be in a fully active state.
If not really moving around much then can just plug the charger into the battery pack. Could get a normal external battery for phones and plug that into the Apple battery pack. ( or iPhone sized battery pack takes magsafe batteries also; just clip one of those on for incremental extended time). If really critical and willing to make that additional weight/carry trade off. ( The battery back itself has a plug. Just serially daisy chain. ) Pragmatically, the USB-C port on the battery pack makes it daisy-chain , serially extendable without disconnecting at all.
if want more than two hours then add more battery weight to what you are carrying. If Apple doesn't do one themselves, I'm sure some third party will show up with that accessory.
They’ll get right on it after they read the annual report on the banana clip ban compliance.
Both pieces are required to be safe. Apple doesn't call the iMac magnet power cable "MagSafe". that might safe a few iMacs on tripped over cables but your data or system integrity isn't safe.
I suspect Gurman probably is misapplying "MagSafe" here. Using a term that term that many Mac fans are familiar with, but not really the same thing. Similar enough though to vaguely convey the idea. ( that the sloppiness spawns long debate threads is a nice side effect to build buzz. )
Only the ability to disconnect when yanked makes it Safe.
It’s right there at 6:20. Safe refers to keeping your MacBook physically safe from being pulled off your desk.
The iMac isn’t called MagSafe because its not designed to disconnect when yanked because of:
1. Stronger magnets which resist being disconnected.
2. Deeper cylindrical shape only pulls away perpendicularly from the back of the case, as opposed to MagSafe which pulls at angles.
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Honestly I don't see how they will win this product.
It's geared toward industry users because of the cost but is locked down.
Most industrial type users use windows or open source products i.e they need it to integreate into existing workflows.
They definitely wont be to happy about buying loads of battery packs not in todays climate with cuts left right & center.
Its not exactly going to appeal to the military as wont be rugged enought, which is where microsoft has its VR goggles sales. They recently sold over $1billion to us military.
It's geared toward industry users because of the cost but is locked down.
Most industrial type users use windows or open source products i.e they need it to integreate into existing workflows.
They definitely wont be to happy about buying loads of battery packs not in todays climate with cuts left right & center.
Its not exactly going to appeal to the military as wont be rugged enought, which is where microsoft has its VR goggles sales. They recently sold over $1billion to us military.
So these things aren't technically covered by the laws forcing USB-C on iPhones so Apple creates another proprietary connector. That's annoying
There really couldn’t be a worse time to release a drastically over priced niche product (toy really.) The legacy Cook gets out of this may not be the one he wants.
Funny how everyone wants lightning to die so bad but also wanted MagSafe to come back so bad.
Nothing Apple makes is ever geared entirely towards industry users. Their products have always been designed with the mass consumer in mind.
My prediction - a lot of negative takes here will end up aging pretty poorly.
Maybe, but again, this product faces a TON of hurdles to acceptance. The notion that it will be the “next iPhone” is far fetched at best. In fact Apple hasn’t had a home run like iPhone since Steve Jobs passed.
I think you forget that this is Apple, who has had years of experience making wearables like the Apple Watch and AirPods desirable, to the point of people wanting to be seen in public with them.
Second, a lot of these supposed hurdles have been nothing but unfounded rumours, from the supposedly high price to the design (that image being recycled everywhere is nothing more than a fan render) to the presumed limited functionality.
Third, the idea that people will put an Apple Reality headset on and just sit in a corner in a dark room is, to be honest, depressing. It’s not where things are headed. Instead, a headset's power is found in enhancing one's reality via the way experiences are delivered.
It’s clear the terms AR, VR and mixed reality are being used interchangeably and it’s clear nobody really knows what they mean. Or they point to how existing VR headsets have not taken off, not seemingly realising Apple’s penchant for using their control over hardware and software to innovate around constraints.
On a side note, I also predict a freezing of the VR headset market until Apple releases theirs. Fun times for anybody in the market right now.
Apples to oranges. Earbuds have been around since the 80s and people have been wearing watches since WWI. The barrier to entry for both of them was practically nil.
Yes and no. Some of those points are being reported by multiple credible sources.
I never asserted that the use case was any such thing. Read back. My basic assumption has been that Apple intends people to wear these in public. And that in and of itself is one of the biggest barriers it faces.
I’d say that most of us here have a reasonably clear idea of what each one is and what potential they each hold. I don’t think that’s the hitching point.
The VR market is already in a pattern of rapid contraction and decline.