Apple Shifts 'Bug Wrangler' to AR Team to 'Bring Some Order' to AR Headset Development

[FaustsHausUK]

And Kim's track record so far has been...? There's sure been a lot of bugs in things lately. Stuff has been released that wasn't really ready for prime time lately. Her "powerful force" doesn't seem to be what's needed.

Have you worked in software development? There's tons of bugs in pretty much all software that's shipped - it's damned near unavoidable if you want to ship software with any kind of frequency. I would argue bugs in Apple software get amplified because we have unreasonable expectations of Apple as a company, but they're human like anyone else.

 

[ProVideo]

AR/VR glasses with dual 8k untethered displays.
Battery life: 2 minutes.

 

[FaustsHausUK]

I'm still holding out hope that one day there will be AR built into vehicle windshields. That could pave the way for true heads-up operation including GPS turn-by-turn, etc.

Seriously, this is what I'm excited for, too. Moving the car's dash to a HUD means drivers will spend less time looking away from the road, and that HUD can be dynamic (and customisable) based on the user's needs.

 

[rpat701]

You could do email and browse the web on a laptop perfectly fine, so why invent the iPhone?

It really doesn’t take a lot of imagination to see a future where a new version of the internet is overlaid on top of the real world, in real time. Where we connect with the real world rather than get lost in glass slabs. Where technology gets out of the way and augments your life, popping in with information and communication, rather than steal away your attention.

Just as Uber and Instagram couldn’t have been possible or even imagined without the iPhone, what applications are going to be invented for AR will only happen when there are millions of us walking around with AR glasses on our faces.

I can imagine a social media type network where your friends’ experiences would be shown to you as you walk the city. Walk by a restaurant and a little bubble can pop up showing your friend’s review, maybe a little video of a fun moment they had there.

An AR dating app might show you available singles around you who choose to broadcast themselves. You walk into a bar and you look at a cute girl with a heart over her head, read a little profile bio, slide through some photos, say you’re interested. Earlier, she has noticed you and also swipe you right. You’re a match. Oh yeah, let me go talk to her.

Information will be embedded in the real world with AR glasses.

Information is embedded in the real world with mobile devices. Your laptop and phone analogy doesn't work in this case. That solved a particular problem around mobility. AR solves very little that isn't already solved today.

 

[bensisko]

While there have been AR glasses released already, no one seems to know what they're for or how they can benefit from owning them. That's where Apple comes in and makes us think we need it so we all go out and buy em up

But until I hear more than just speculation from these sources and we start getting some credible and believable information, I'm sticking with it being another 2-3 years AT LEAST.

I'm hoping that, when you say "nobody" you're talking about average consumers, but Enterprise (at least in certain segments) has been buying in BIG time. It's even gotten to a point where so many companies are buying such large volumes of the Hololens 2 that individual orders have taken a backseat (talking to Microsoft, you can't even get a demo unless you're planning at least an order of 5000).

With Liveworx (the PTC AR and IoT conference) having wrapped up about a month ago, your estimate of 2-3 years is on par with what PTC is estimating. Starting around 2022 is when we should expect AR headsets to be available and affordable for mass consumption.

 

[Mactendo]

Apple has moved one of its software executives over to the division developing an augmented reality headset with the intent of bringing "some order" to the team, reports The Information.

To “bring some order” Tim Cook should be moved back to worldwide operations and Apple needs a new visionary CEO.

 

[routine_analyst]

Why on earth would anyone actually want to wear glasses? They don't feel good on your face and you're constantly taking them off to rub your nose.

 

[LV426]

And Kim's track record so far has been...? There's sure been a lot of bugs in things lately. Stuff has been released that wasn't really ready for prime time lately. Her "powerful force" doesn't seem to be what's needed.

Speaking as a software developer myself, "making sure employees met deadlines" is not conducive to producing quality work. It's a recipe for writing buggy code or - worse - engineering a dead end approach that will need substantial reworking. It's a management wet dream, though.

There's an old adage that has stood the test of time:

Good. Cheap. Done Quickly. Pick any two.

 

[dogslobber]

This is a solution looking for a problem and so will flop. Nobody wants to wear silly headsets for any *R reasoning. You only need to look at Google Glass to see they're no use.

 

[Ener Ji]

I'm still holding out hope that one day there will be AR built into vehicle windshields. That could pave the way for true heads-up operation including GPS turn-by-turn, etc.

Maybe I'm misunderstanding you, but doesn't this already exist? Lots of cars offer AR HUDs with turn-by-turn directions (among other features), including both of my cars. Did you mean to say that you wish that phone information could be projected on the car windshield? That indeed would be sweet, and I definitely see that happening one day. Maybe as an extension of Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

 

[rezwits]

That concept is hideous.

They would ONLY do, Space Gray and/or Stainless Steel/Titanium/Aluminum finish in the beginning...

 

[NMBob]

exact same rumors spread about the Car: leaderless, unorganized, infighting, no progress in sight

There was an 11-minute video over at The Loop from 1984 about the Macintosh Team. It was chaos with a goal thanks to good selection of people and good management (by SJ). Doesn't sound like any of that exists at Apple anymore. Now it's a bunch of children being managed by bean counters.

 

[bensisko]

This is a solution looking for a problem and so will flop. Nobody wants to wear silly headsets for any *R reasoning. You only need to look at Google Glass to see they're no use.

Google Glass is NOTHING like an AR headset. It's like somebody comparing a modern iPhone to a 1st generation Palm Pilot.

There were a lot of things wrong with Google Glass (both technically and business), but among those was a huge backlash of imaginary panic. "OMG! Those things will see me skipping work and e-mail my boss just by somebody walking onto a bus wearing one!" If you ever actually tried it, you would realize it was a lot of hype over nothing (basically a limited, small display capable of only displaying rudimentary information, connected to a weak camera and a tiny battery).

Now look at something like the Hololens (especially the Hololens 2). COMPLETELY different! Now you have live data and 3D models interacting with a real environment. I look at a car's engine and it overlays a model that highlights components and leads me through repairs. A modern car, with sensor data, can connect with the headset and display that data - see the temperature of the engine, look at a visual representation of fluid levels. The camera on the Hololens tracks with me so if I move, the component is anchored in place. None of this is science fiction or even "in the future" - it's happening right now. It's true that there are more Business related applications than consumer applications, but that will change FAST. It's already changing - take a look at what Apple is doing with Apple Maps - you'll be able to use your phone to give you live data about what's around you to help you find things easier.

I don't think this will be a consistent experience though - it's not going to replace your phone and you won't be using it all the time (at least at first), but there will be some very specific use cases where you'll want to put the glasses on and use them, then take them off and go about your day.

 

[code-m]

I'm still holding out hope that one day there will be AR built into vehicle windshields. That could pave the way for true heads-up operation including GPS turn-by-turn, etc.
[doublepost=1564599797][/doublepost]
I don't know... if done correctly I could see it ramping up quickly. It seemed like one day trackers & smart watches were just being released, then BOOM everyone seemed to have one.

AR/VR Glasses would solve that horn that most smartphone users are growing.

Apples iPhone revenue shortfall is being replaced by accessories and this fits into they "Wireless Future". For neck strain glasses is the best to view information, the issue is to provide a balance and what effect to the eyes will this pose.

 

[bensisko]

Maybe I'm misunderstanding you, but doesn't this already exist? Lots of cars offer AR HUDs with turn-by-turn directions (among other features), including both of my cars. Did you mean to say that you wish that phone information could be projected on the car windshield? That indeed would be sweet, and I definitely see that happening one day. Maybe as an extension of Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

Yes, you can get HUDs (even ones that connect to your phone) for cars today, but any interaction still has to be done on the device (so you can't swipe or interact with the data).

 

[code-m]

Yes, you can get HUDs (even ones that connect to your phone) for cars today, but any interaction still has to be done on the device (so you can't swipe or interact with the data).

Welcome AirGestures.

 

[citysnaps]

This is a solution looking for a problem and so will flop. Nobody wants to wear silly headsets for any *R reasoning. You only need to look at Google Glass to see they're no use.

Google glass? Really? There was nothing AR about it.

With respect to AR and its applications, it does take an open mind and a wee bit of imagination to set you free and conjure the possibilities.

 

[code-m]

Google glass? Really? There was nothing AR about it.

With respect to AR and its applications, it does take an open mind and a wee bit of imagination to set you free and conjure the possibilities.

Get ready for Holes.

 

[Datalinks]

Forget the wearables and just give us the implant we are all waiting for

 

[Ghost31]

State-of-the-art AR glasses coming next year from any company, not just Apple, is laughable. I have no doubt they'll be the future, especially for the wearables category, but we're talking well into the next decade before they're as mainstream as say, smart watches and wireless headphones.

I remember being there when the first iPhone came out and being totally shocked that technology like that could be available right then. It was literally technology 5 years ahead of anyone else but it was available today through some miracle

Ever since then, I’ve kept myself quiet on what I think is possible from apple sooner rather than later

 

[urnotl33t]

AR/VR glasses with dual 8k untethered displays.
Battery life: 2 minutes.

That's usually about all I need these days.

 

[Williesleg]

Without mentioning lots of H1B's writing really bad code at Apple like they do everywhere, I'm sure Apple will get this under control. They always do.

 

[flat five]

I still don't get AR outside gaming. All the use cases can already be solved through cheaper, more accurate methods. The hardware just isn't there yet from a quality and cost perspective. You can execute simple marketing and sales AR experiences through phones and tablets.

i'm thinking you might just have an unimaginative and/or incredibly limited view as to what 'all the use cases' are.

what are the use cases?... everything

everything you use any of your senses for (touch, sight, smell, hearing, taste) can be augmented.. and will be..


----


as well as opening up new (to us) ways to experience/understand the universe.. like being able to understand/grasp/experience a 4th dimension.. etc.

 

[FightTheFuture]

You could do email and browse the web on a laptop perfectly fine, so why invent the iPhone?

It really doesn’t take a lot of imagination to see a future where a new version of the internet is overlaid on top of the real world, in real time. Where we connect with the real world rather than get lost in glass slabs. Where technology gets out of the way and augments your life, popping in with information and communication, rather than steal away your attention.

Didn’t really think of any of this until you said it. AR Glasses could be the next truly useful wearable tech.

 

[CarlJ]

State-of-the-art AR glasses coming next year from any company, not just Apple, is laughable.

Agreed, though keep in mind that "state of the art" doesn't necessarily mean good, just the best available. When the first company ships even mediocre AR glasses, they'll be state of the art, by definition for consumer level AR glasses. Apple is unlikely to ship mediocre ones.
[doublepost=1564616488][/doublepost]

Didn’t really think of any of this until you said it. AR Glasses could be the next truly useful wearable tech.

The step beyond that is going to be awesome: AR contact lenses.

(No kidding, though those are more like 10+ years out. Will require substantial work on miniaturization. But imagine being able to walk around with nothing hanging off your face or in your hands, but the information you need, reminders, notifications, and communications popping up in the corner of your field of view, sci-fi style.)