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Apple's 'Reality Pro' Headset Said to Launch Before WWDC, Ships in the Fall

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Apple's AR/VR headset, likely to be named "Reality Pro," will be announced during an event this spring before WWDC, which is typically held in June, before the product begins shipping this fall.

apple-ar-headset-concept-2.jpeg
Concept render by Ian Zelbo based on purported leaked information​

In his latest Power On newsletter, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman says that Apple's current plan is to announce the headset during an event in the spring, before the company's Worldwide Developers Conference in June. According to Gurman, Apple plans to announce the product, then have developers introduced to its operating system, xrOS, at WWDC, before shipping it in the fall.
The final postponement, at least for the moment, happened last year. Up until fairly recently, Apple had aimed to introduce the headset in January 2023 and ship it later this year. Now the company is aiming to unveil it this spring ahead of the annual Worldwide Developers Conference in June, I'm told.

With the current plan, Apple could introduce the device to consumers — likely under the name Reality Pro — and then get developers up to speed on its software features in June. On this timeline, the company would then ship the product later in the fall of 2023.
Click to expand...
Apple has been rumored to announce its AR/VR headset for the last several years, with 2023 seeming to be the year it finally happens. According to Gurman, Apple is already working with several "high-profile developers" on experiences and apps for the new headset and the xrOS operating system. Apple's first headset is expected to be a high-end and niche product, tailored towards professionals and developers before a more consumer-friendly headset launches in the next several years.

Article Link: Apple's 'Reality Pro' Headset Said to Launch Before WWDC, Ships in the Fall
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2023/01/08/apple-headset-spring-event-ship-in-fall/
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Still not even remotely sold on the need for this device or whether it will be worth the trade-offs of a heavy headset on your face. Of course, I was also incredibly skeptical of the Apple Watch and now it’s a daily wear device for me. So, if anyone can change my mind, it’s Apple!

I will say it is very nice to see Apple making new hardware for a change instead of yet another subscription or advertising “service” to grow revenue. I’m rooting for this device to succeed for that reason, even if I never buy one.
 
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I guess developers who actually want to develop for this thing and haven't been lucky enough to be hand-picked by Apple will have to wait months after it's released to find out how the APIs work at WWDC 23. That sounds... not great.
 
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I can’t wait for this one. First an underwhelming release with no real features people want to use, then a gradual acceptance over the years, then widespread adoption of a device category that’s gotten no more useful over the years.

Apple Watch and iPad all over again.
 
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I am of course extremely curious to finally see this product, mainly to see how (or if) Apple has managed to do something notably different or superior to what's already out there, after working on it for years.

But I have no idea who's going to buy it, or why. Primary application for VR right now is gaming, and the Mac is not a gaming platform.
 
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jmho said:
I guess developers who actually want to develop for this thing and haven't been lucky enough to be hand-picked by Apple will have to wait months after it's released to find out how the APIs work at WWDC 23. That sounds... not great.
Click to expand...
i bet the presentation will be in spring...and for developers will get the hardware kit and api after WWDC right away in June..so not so long between
 
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It'll be really interesting to see what Apple is bringing to the table that Meta, etc haven't. I assume they have big plans or they wouldn't be working on it as their next major project.

Apple doesn't really do games, and they probably don't share Zuckerberg's fascination with VR meetings.
 
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