We always focus on the goggles part but my biggest concern is if they build a tiresome hand gesture paradigm around their interface or will we have hand-held controls.
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Apple's AR/VR Headset Expected to Enter Mass Production in October Ahead of Late 2023 Launch
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Exactly! Not an iterative bump but a completely new device in a completely new category that requires completely new thinking. That has to be somewhat better than sitting around and debating the the next iPhone Pro color. 😂
While not in a position to jump in on v1, I'm pretty excited to see something completely new from Apple. It's also fun to know that some of the R&D for this initiative will find its way into other Apple devices and experiences. Despite the negativity leading up to Monday, it's going to be a fun day. Savor.
I agree with ya. I am also very excited and can’t stand all of the doom and gloom comments on literally every article, no matter what it is.
it’ll be nice to discuss it all on Monday too when it’s revealed. Apple knows what they’re doing here.
In all honesty, this screams “we’ve been pressured to release a brand-new product since the original iPhone and this is the best we can do”. Moreover, it’s not even a revolutionary one like the iPhone was back in the day. They’re just following the trend of other VR products here. It remains to be seen how it all pans out, of course.
The best we can do? Too funny.
"Moreover, it’s not even a revolutionary one..."
How do you know? Inside information? Perhaps you're a trusted supplier/developer that's been woking with Apple for a few years?
It IS based on the same hardware/software stack everything else they make is and the UI is supposed to be iPad-like. Can’t get too much more rehash than that.
Has Apple ever done anything “breakeven”? They’re planning on only 500,000 headsets… supply and demand says that they’ll be able to get their normal roughly 25-30% margins quite easily.
HobeSoundDarryl
macrumors G5
Senator, I knew iPad... and this is no iPad*
But then, I strapped my iPad mini to my face, and 500 versions of Spiderman appeared, so now I'm not so sure.
*to be determined of course, when we actually get to see what it is. Perhaps it IS just a big, overpriced iPod (again).
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I also think Apple is trying to capture a share of the market that they think will be hot because others are chasing it too.
AR has some specific applications but VR is essentially for immersive entertainment and simulation-based training. Generally, people don't like having their visual senses disrupted. 3D movies were a bust because they caused headaches and it was gimmicky. Unlike a phone or tablet, people are not going to be walking around with these headsets or using them for work on a regular basis. They will use it to visualize furniture in their house or to learn how to knit. And play golf. It will probably work well for its intended purposes but IMHO there will not be mass appeal to sustain it.
Before the AR/VR device… “Everything Apple has made, up through the Watch was destined for success from day one with no detractors AT ALL. THIS, however, is likely to fail.”
After the AR/VR device, but before the next big thing… “Everything Apple has made, up through the AR/VR device was destined for success from day one with no detractors AT ALL. This next thing, however, is likely to fail.”
After the AR/VR device, but before the next big thing… “Everything Apple has made, up through the AR/VR device was destined for success from day one with no detractors AT ALL. This next thing, however, is likely to fail.”
Pressured by who? There were other smart phones on the market before the iPhone; Apple just did it better. There were other mp3 players before the ipod; Apple just did it better. There were other tablets before the iPad; Apple just did it better. There were other smart watches before Apple Watch; Apple just did it better. Will Apple do VR better? We’ll have to wait and see. But this is no different than any product Apple released this century. It seems to have served them, and the people, pretty well.
This is how it is every time. I always refer to this as the cycle of Apple criticism.
1) Apple would never do X.
2) Okay, Apple is doing X, but people will never buy it.
3) All the people buying X are sheep.
4) I bought X. But it’s flawed!
5) Apple was great when it did X, but will fail at the next thing they’re doing.
I really don't see AR/VR being popular until we can get it into a normal pair of glasses. So ~10-15 years away?
Thoughts?
Thoughts?
Yeah, that's the plan. Apple is hoping this AR/VR headset will allow them to segue
to a new growth product category and revenue stream.Because it follows the other VR products that have been around for a while now. I indicated that in my original comment.
I can’t get excited about this product. If all Apple does is show off games and some silly AR stuff then it’s a bust, IMO. However, if Apple has come up with a novel use for these, something that is actually very useful, then it could make me interested. Let’s just say that the introduction of these things better be spectacular.
Yes agreed Apple are not new to failure, but not every product can be a HIT. I don’t think the HomePod was a failure otherwise they wouldn’t have released another. The HomePod was a 1st gen product so common to have some elements not quite right, it obviously sold enough to warrant an update, an update which optimised the internals to continue selling it at profit. On the Apple Arcade front what is your source to suggest it’s been a failure?
Yes and no: there were no touchscreen mass market smartphones at the level of the iPhone. The same goes for the MP3 players. The clickwheel was pretty revolutionary for that category. Most importantly, these 2 products were MASS products. Sure, the original iPhone was pricey, but it didn’t cost 3K. This VR thing is not even consumer-friendly price wise.
Looking forward to the “Ant-Man Pays Off A Parking Ticket” short.spoiler. Not sure how true this is
Read the WWDC 2023 keynote before it happens in our minute-by-minute preview
Everything Apple is about to announce before it's announced.www.macworld.com
HobeSoundDarryl
macrumors G5
Don't forget...
3H) "It's starting to grow on me, but I'll need to see it in person." (this is the moderating, "wiggle room" phase where the extremist pessimist starts trying to hedge their very hard stance to this point in time).
3Z) "Shut up and take my money!" (post certain .jpgs & .gifs to really hammer this desire to buy beyond only text).
4C) "I got up at <wee hours> and ordered immediately but it says I won't get it for 6 weeks. 😫 Should I cancel and try to get one in the stores?"
4M) "How did we ever get by without X before?" and "look at those poor souls clinging to W" and "I can't believe people are still trying to get by with S, T or W"
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Yes, Or constantly post ‘no sale’. Who cares if you’re buying or not. Apple does not revolve around you.
I think it’s quite clear what the headwinds are, but I can summarise them.
It is a very niche market already crowded with competitors with a lot of experience who have been releasing products for years, at significantly more affordable price points than what the rumours suggest apple will do. Sure, apple might introduce some marginal improvements over then status quo. Will it justify a price five to six times higher? Doubtful. Not to mention the fact that the other companies already have established stores with hundreds of apps, games and experiences. Apple starts from zero. Sure, it might convince developers to develop, but it is not granted. It succeeds with the iPhone app store, not as much with the watch store (very few apps are available and in fact some big names removed their apps) or the Mac App Store.
The biggest problem though is that for most people this thing is a solution to a problem nobody has. Everybody (or most people) needed or wanted an iPod, a phone and an internet communicator. iPhone was a huge success because of it. People wanted these things and a product that combined them all was hence very appealing. Very few people have any interest in spending a lot of time with their head in an awkward mask. Even the few who find the experience appealing would probably refrain from doing it in public. A big difference with iPhone, that people have always been proud to use and show around.
The thing is all these VR headsets have their shortcomings. I just got a PSVR 2 and it’s a massive upgrade compared to the original one. However, it’s far from perfect. But at $550 it’s very reasonable. There is only one wire now that runs to the PS5. Based on all the leaks, it looks like this Apple one will have a non-standard solution with a battery pack resting on your hips/waist. That all sounds so cumbersome considering the rumored high price point. I think they will eventually streamline the design of it and it will be a typical sleek product by Apple, but we’re still years away from it.
There have been several reports that it’s doing very poorly and that developers are pulling their games after the contract ends because they don’t make enough money. A clear indication is the fact that nowadays is flooded with ‘+’ versions of very old games that nobody cares about anymore. Basically stuff that stopped making a profit a long time ago and it’s little more of abandonware. Fruit ninja classic+, temple run+ and stuff like that. Very far from the initial intent of making games that weren’t possible outside of this service.
I thinks it’s so far out that one can’t make any serious conjectures. It’s like how people used to think that flying cars would become a thing. It might not happen in our lifetime. And it’s likely that other things will happen instead that we don’t even conceive of now.