Apple's Struggles With Long-Rumored AR/VR Headset Detailed in New Report

[MacRumors]

The Information's Wayne Ma today published a lengthy report detailing technical and leadership challenges that Apple has faced during development of its long-rumored AR/VR headset, which is currently expected to be announced by the end of 2023.

Apple headset render created by Ian Zelbo based on The Information reporting​

For example, the report claims that Apple's team working on the headset, led by former Dolby executive Mike Rockwell, regularly had to fight to get help with the project from other parts of the company. As of mid-2017, the team also worked out of office buildings in Sunnyvale, California that were several miles away from Apple's headquarters, which allegedly "helped preserve the group's invisibility to the rest of Apple."

In early 2018, for example, one of Rockwell's team members asked Apple's camera hardware engineering group to add a firmware feature that would improve the speed with which the headset's cameras could capture images and reproject them in a display. Rockwell's group wanted to include the feature in a prototype headset ahead of an important demo for Apple's top 100 employees, known as the T100. The member of Rockwell's group was told the headset wasn't a priority and his group would have to wait until after the iPhone XS shipped later that year.

The report adds that the team considered swappable batteries for the headset that would enable users to wear it for up to eight hours per day, but the idea was eventually scrapped due to the complexities involved. As of 2021, the headset had a battery that could last "several hours, in line with similar products," according to the report.

The full report outlines many other challenges and is a worthwhile read for those interested in the development of Apple's headset.

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Takashi Mochizuki, and Debby Wu previously outlined issues that Apple has faced with the headset, ranging from overheating to camera and software challenges. Gurman said the headset will be powered by two chips, with at least one on par with the M1 Pro chip in the latest 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models.

The Information last year shared a render of Apple's supposed headset based on a "late-stage prototype" that it viewed. The report claimed the headset would have a curved visor with a soft mesh material, swappable headbands, and dual 8K displays. There may even be a third display, according to display industry consultant Ross Young.

Article Link: Apple's Struggles With Long-Rumored AR/VR Headset Detailed in New Report

 

[erikkfi]

Looking forward to "great, part-day battery life."

 

[kc9hzn]

That’s… a lot of internal information about an unreleased product. The article has to have an inside source that was covered by an NDA. So, with an NDA violation on an unconfirmed new product, we can expect sparks to fly. Let’s go get some popcorn.

 

[nt5672]

No replaceable battery is the new Apple, looks like cost now overrides functionality. Time to get rid of Cook, just like they did to Ive. Tech is tech, and non-tech leader is just not acceptable.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

Way too many issues with this product.

I honestly don't think anyone in the AR/VR is interested anymore. Niche Market!

 

[dbwie]

We already have a built in, high tech AR/VR capability. It’s called our imagination. It’s free, no installation required.

 

[Jimmdean]

This should be something they work on without telling anyone they’re working on it.

because this is one of those things no one cares about until it’s impressive enough that they cannot ignore it.

 

[filmantopia]

With any new major product, huge challenges are to be expected. Otherwise, everyone would already be making incredibly successful AR/VR products. Apple's tenacity and ability to overcome such challenges to produce a desirable, useful product is why Apple is successful at popularizing new platforms. That said, it's interesting to hear about the details.

As far as battery life, this mixed reality headset is looking like it's more in the realm of an "AR Mac"-- so while more battery is always better, it won't NEED to last all day. Whereas the AR glasses, which will launch a few years later, is more like an "AR iPhone", in which case extended battery is more critical.

 

[Marbles1]

So it won't be for gaming, since apple are awful at gaming. So what will it be for? Design work? browsing reddit on a giant screen?

 

[lars666]

We already have a built in, high tech AR/VR capability. It’s called our imagination. It’s free, no installation required.

¿Por qué no los dos?

 

[DelayedGratificationGene]

Same “problems” plagued the iPhone. If these “problems” didn’t happen then that would be a worry. Can’t wait for Apple AR!

 

[GhostOS]

I love VR headsets when I have tried them out. But Facebook is super creepy needing to use their login just to be able to use Oculus. Really hope Apple makes progress with these.

 

[t0rqx]

So it won't be for gaming, since apple are awful at gaming. So what will it be for? Design work? browsing reddit on a giant screen?

You basically pay working for them. All images will be captured analyzed and distributed to Apple Maps. Eddy Cue’s team will move in to improve revenue with ads.

Are they capturing an old iPhone 8 in the corner of your room. BOOM! Promoting the iPhone 16.

 

[cocky jeremy]

AR/VR is dumb anyway, so whatever. 🤷‍♂️

 

[filmantopia]

So it won't be for gaming, since apple are awful at gaming. So what will it be for? Design work? browsing reddit on a giant screen?

It'll be for everything, and more (that we simply have not imagined yet). It's a computer that's not bound by a 2D rectangle that sits in front of you.

 

[rpmurray]

Hope nobody "accidentally" leaves one in a bar.

 

[crsh1976]

No replaceable battery is the new Apple, looks like cost now overrides functionality. Time to get rid of Cook, just like they did to Ive. Tech is tech, and non-tech leader is just not acceptable.

Funny, Jobs was never a tech leader either, but he certainly played his part to get Apple where it is today.

 

[44267547]

So it won't be for gaming, since apple are awful at gaming. So what will it be for? Design work? browsing reddit on a giant screen?

We don’t know it won’t be used in conjunction with gaming.

Also, to the likes of professional training (I.e.-Healthcare industry, automotive hands-on approach training, ect).

Let’s remain open minded and allow Apple to demo what this tech is actually capable of, before shaming it.

 

[johnmarki]

I'm really hoping this is just hardware in their "skunk works." I dont want to wear ski goggles and I'm not really seeing Apple mass producing a "goggle" type wearable. I would, however, love a pair of Apple eyeglasses, or even a little add-on to current frames.  🤓

 

[thejadedmonkey]

So it won't be for gaming, since apple are awful at gaming. So what will it be for? Design work? browsing reddit on a giant screen?

The same thing that other AR headsets are used for; industrial work.

I'm sure that games will exist for them too, much like the Ocular Rift, but IMO I wouldn't expect AAA games to be ported to them anytime soon - not with the price tag and resulting lack of userbase.

 

[rpmurray]

Based on the rendering I suspect Apple will call them iGoggles, and then get into a trademark tussle with Google because the name is too similar.

 

[4jasontv]

Apple got the Mac and the iPhones because they had a product person with nearly unrestrained power.

 

[coachgq]

Is this different than the 5 dollar head strap thing you can get at walmart and put your phone in?

 

[anthogag]

Half the battle is already won if it looks good with AirPods Max. 🤩

 

[sunapple]

The best AR camera is the one you have in your pocket. Maybe just my conservative thought.