Apple's AR/VR Headset Nearing Completion as Board Gets Demo

[MacRumors]

Apple last week demonstrated its upcoming AR/VR headset to Apple board members, indicating that the device is in an advanced stage of development and could see a debut in the not too distant future, reports Bloomberg. Apple has also ramped up development of the software that runs on the headset, with that software expected to be called "RealityOS," or rOS for short.

Render via designer Ian Zelbo​

Work on a headworn AR/VR device has been ongoing for years now, and Apple's first product is believed to be a hybrid headset that has a curved visor and a soft mesh that fits against the face. It is expected to have an Apple Watch-like strap to hold it in place, and Apple is aiming to make it lighter and more comfortable than other AR/VR headsets that are on the market.

It will feature two 4K micro-OLED displays, 15 camera modules, powerful processors equivalent to the M-series chips, eye tracking capabilities, hand gesture support, spatial audio, and other features. When it launches, the headset is expected to cost somewhere around $3,000.

Apple has reportedly been working to release the headset since 2019 but there have been multiple delays in 2020, 2021, and now, 2022. Apple has been dealing with issues such as overheating and problems with the camera and the software, which has caused the debut date to be pushed back several times.

Bloomberg suggests that we could see the AR/VR headset as early as the end of the year, though a consumer release isn't planned until 2023.

The AR/VR headset will be Apple's first major new product category since the Apple Watch that came out seven years ago in 2015. Apple is expected to follow the AR/VR headset with a second-generation version and a set of augmented reality smart glasses that are going to launch sometime around 2024.

Article Link: Apple's AR/VR Headset Nearing Completion as Board Gets Demo

 

[freedomlinux]

I'm ... surprised

 

[KaliYoni]

If the render is close to reality–and why wouldn't it be?–it's clear there isn't any way to make VR goggles look anything but dorky. Oculus has an excuse since Mark Z. has the worst aesthetic sense known to humankind (every FB hardware product looks like the most awful mashup possible of Dell, Volvo, and Birkenstock) but even Apple's design chops can't do anything for these things.

Second thought: will Apple sell a $89 Motion Sickness Bag as an add-on?

 

[ElectricPotato]

RealityOS? They missed an opportunity to call it the reality distortion field.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

No one wants this AR/VR. It's too gimmicky. It's also too expensive.

 

[FSMBP]

Pricing is definitely off. It's like people forgot that Apple is expensive but Apple isn't that greedy/out of touch with reality.

In January 2010, people were saying iPad was going to be $1,000+ (it debuted at a shocking $500).

If Apple is bringing this to market, I doubt this will be more than $700.

 

[NYCValkyrie]

VR goggles are ugly...even when Apple designs them!

Agreed. I understand filtering light out but they need to make these look more like regular sun/glasses unless this is for pure gaming. If there is any element of real-life usage they want it for, this design is absolutely not it. lol.

 

[Solver]

It should more objectively be called arOS, Alternate Reality OS.

 

[ThunderSkunk]

Good. Lets see what they came up with.
Hopefully they had a grander vision than the people in these threads.

 

[T'hain Esh Kelch]

Pricing is definitely off. It's like people forgot that Apple is expensive but Apple isn't that greedy/out of touch with reality.

In January 2010, people were saying iPad was going to be $1,000+ (it debuted at a shocking $500).

If Apple is bringing this to market, I doubt this will be more than $700.

The 20$ cloth would like to present itself to you.

 

[Mizouse]

No thanks. Never saw the appeal for VR other than for sim racing or the Hub.

 

[nfl46]

Y’all let me know when this down goes down in pricing. $3K. Woah. It may not be until version 5 until it’s reasonably price for general consumers.

 

[yossi]

Gotta get ready for the AppleVerse!

 

[koonce]

AirPods launched a year after the watch. I think there is a case to be made that AirPods started a new product category, even though they are "just headphones".

 

[Fozziebear71]

I'll be interested in this no sooner than the second version.

 

[jessea]

Pricing is definitely off. It's like people forgot that Apple is expensive but Apple isn't that greedy/out of touch with reality.

In January 2010, people were saying iPad was going to be $1,000+ (it debuted at a shocking $500).

If Apple is bringing this to market, I doubt this will be more than $700.

Apple doesn’t work this way. They don’t pick a market price point and then build a piece of new tech. They try to solve for what they see as a hole in the market, then price the product according to perceived value. Look at their recent monitor releases.

I wouldn’t be surprised if Apple had a headset for $499 or $2999 or anywhere in between. It will be price positioned based on their margins and sales pitch, not based on competing with anything else out there.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

Can you guys imagine if the Board was not impressed or intrigued by the AR/VR headset? 😂

(Apple) Board of Directors: Seriously, Tim?

(Apple CEO) Tim Cook: Good morning, I am thrilled! 👓

 

[mnsportsgeek]

Still have no idea what this device could do for me.

 

[macduke]

Not even the slightest bit interested in buying something like this for $3000.

Curious? Sure. Buying? No way. Maybe when they look more like regular glasses and have a proven benefit over existing modes of computing. So probably around 2030. But even then the price is a hard sell, especially when I could get a decent Mac Studio for that price. Will I be able to do my work on it, or is it just a toy?

 

[iamgalt]

Pricing is definitely off. It's like people forgot that Apple is expensive but Apple isn't that greedy/out of touch with reality.

In January 2010, people were saying iPad was going to be $1,000+ (it debuted at a shocking $500).

If Apple is bringing this to market, I doubt this will be more than $700.

While I agree with you that the $3k price tag is too high of an estimate; I think you're way low with your $700. I think the hardware costs alone will be around the $1000 cost for Apple. You throw in the apple tax and I'm guessing final price will be around $1600-$1800. Remember, this is the company that sells a $20 piece of cloth.

The stand to store the set will probably be around $700.

 

[turbineseaplane]

At that price I’d get a Varjo Aero for amazing MSFS visuals.

 

[macduke]

So who on the board leaked this? Al Gore? Hah.

 

[JGIGS]

Still have no idea what this device could do for me.

In theory, it could replace tv's and gaming consoles one day. In theory.

 

[unregbaron]

Still have no idea what this device could do for me.

Corporates and prosumers will love it.

 

[KaliYoni]

Can you guys imagine if the Board was not impressed or intrigued by the AR/VR headset? 😂

Not with Apple's current set of board members. Apple is (was?) great at a lot of things but corporate governance isn't one of them. Apple's Board of Directors is a rubber stamp for senior management due to its composition and structure.