Foxconn Reportedly Working on Apple's Cheaper Second-Generation Headset

[ocnitsa]

a 3k-5k headset is outside 95% of people’s budget,and that’s IF the product is something truly amazing and revolutionary.
(which I just don’t see it)
The “quality” of sensors doesn’t really make much difference to this fact.

Industry and business applications are likely going to be the driver for this tech until they drive down production costs and are able to produce better versions cheaper...Pricing is reasonable within that segment. It's not a product being launched for my grandma. How can you possibly "see" if it is amazing and/or revolutionary if it hasn't been released, yet? The quality of sensors makes a huge difference...in regards to whether we get a PS4 plastic POS VR toy or something that has functionality the cheaper, more poorly made kits don't.

I just don't think Apple became a ridiculously popular and profit creating business by doing whatever dumb thing people in this thread think they are doing. I think a lot of the arguments that they should dumb their product down in order to go for quantity over quality is exactly what Apple doesn't do/shouldn't do.

 

[RedWeasel]

3k is NOT expensive when you consider the quality of hardware & sensors that have been rumored.

Wether something is perceived as expensive also depends on what benefit the thing will bring to its user.

So far, we don’t know what that will be.

 

[RedWeasel]

Industry and business applications are likely going to be the driver for this tech until they drive down production costs and are able to produce better versions cheaper...Pricing is reasonable within that segment.

But neither of those are Apple’s home turf. They are basically non-existent in industry, engineering and most business environments.

 

[trip1ex]

No wonder we haven’t seen the headset out yet. They are working on the 2nd version first.

 

[_Spinn_]

The first gen headset is probably geared at developers while this second gen will be for consumers.

 

[omihek]

I'll wait for 5th gen. Everyone knows that's where it's at.

 

[filmantopia]

Niche Market! If Apple really wants this AR/VR headset to be successful. Release the cheaper model first (see how it plays in the market) and then move towards releasing an expensive model second.

The first model will be targeted to the developers and content creators who will build the ecosystem that will make a cheaper model exciting to a mass market consumer.

 

[filmantopia]

I strongly believe they will release a developer model at WWDC that is the $3k–$5k price range(like they did with the A-series Mac Mini for M-Series testing), and the “cheaper model” is the more standard glasses vibe for the masses.

Glasses are coming but they’ve been delayed indefinitely while the tech is developed. But understand that the products rumored here aren’t glasses. They’re a different line of *headset* products, not intended for iPhone-like portability. Rather, more of a home/studio/office-centric stationary portability, like a laptop.

These will be the “Macs” of the AR/VR world. Glasses, later on, will be the “iPhones”.

 

[StellarVixen]

I can't wait for this to be out.

Not because I want it, or need it, but because hopefully once it's out and after the honeymoon phase is over, I won't be reading about it that much anymore.

 

[Bodhitree]

I just don't think Apple became a ridiculously popular and profit creating business by doing whatever dumb thing people in this thread think they are doing. I think a lot of the arguments that they should dumb their product down in order to go for quantity over quality is exactly what Apple doesn't do/shouldn't do.

Whichever way they go, the headset is basically an early play to own the “glasses” space. They and Google and Meta correctly identified AR/VR glasses as a bigger-than-iPhone market, the question is, how close can they come to the ideal product? It may very well be that we have to wait ten years before the right mix of processor and battery is available to make real glasses and not a headset, and at a price point that the average consumer is willing to buy at.

This product is just an attempt to get their feet wet, show the technology, and perhaps own the marketplace. I wouldn’t be surprised if they price it to be a loss-leader in the end. But the software space is still searching for a killer app, and maybe Apple’s technology will allow that to be realised on this platform and not the future ideal glasses. Wouldn’t that be something, to create a product that many people would be willing to pay €2000 for, like a top end iPhone.

Its a dark horse in the race for most disruptive technology, although I think that will end up being chat. As it stands it looks like Microsoft’s Bing chat may end up eating Google’s lunch in the search space.

 

[75Batt]

Niche Market! If Apple really wants this AR/VR headset to be successful. Release the cheaper model first (see how it plays in the market) and then move towards releasing an expensive model second.

New Products always target early adopters first as they will help Apple refine and develop use cases for a broader market appeal.

 

[Unregistered 4U]

These can be pretty small now.

and for those that don’t like YouTube video links, a link to the company’s page.

https://www.bigscreenvr.com/

These are wired and require a PC and room beacons, and they don’t do AR, but this is where the state of the art is headed. For $999.

Time to update that concept artwork.

 

[V86]

Can´t wait to get these and use them to Sidecar into a Mac Studio M3 Ultra to get my daily dose of Macrumors.

 

[BlairMALL]

Just remember how Steve Jobs introduced the iPad into the market. Aggressive Price War! Apple definitely didn't slap an iPad Pro price tag on the original iPad.

Honestly, $3000 is a lot of money for regular consumers. The price should be a lot lowered knowing it's already been out there in the market from different companies. It's not a new product. It's just coming from Apple.

I am enjoying this debate, and I think both sides make valid points. IMO, the real problem for AR/VR is the absence of a killer app to drive use. It is a niche market, but mostly because the promise and hope of AR/VR hasn't really delivered with something that captures the consumer enthusiasm on a big level. So, to me the real driver for success is the workable, usable, solid app (or application) of the product will likely determine the true viability of the product.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

The first model will be targeted to the developers and content creators who will build the ecosystem that will make a cheaper model exciting to a mass market consumer.

If that is really the approach Apple is really using. As a consumer, I feel like I'm getting scammed. I don't think Apple will release a product that is half way done. There is no guarantee, the content creators/developers will be fully vested in the upcoming Apple AR/VR. If it's not going to generate any money for them. They are not going to bother. Look at what happened to the Lidar Sensor, 5-7 years later we don't see the Lidar being used efficiently as it should.

 

[Unregistered 4U]

I don't plan on buying it anyway. I don't touch 1st gen hardware. I'll let someone else spend the silly money to beta test it. I'll jump in on the 3rd or 4th gen once prices come down and the hardware and tech matures.

Thanks in advanced to anyone who buys it

I’m considering waiting until the 5-6th gen, so thanks to all you 3rd and 4th gen folks that buy it!

 

[Unregistered 4U]

Judging on price, the headset is going to join the the list of expensive flops:
1. Apple Pippin (flop game machine)
2. Apple HiFI (flop speakers)
3. Airpod Max (generally flop)
4. Big round Apple speaker (forgot the name, flop as well)
5. Trashcan Mac Pro (flop desktop)
6. Butterfly Macbook (with keyboard flop) etc

And don’t forget…
7. The Mac (still has never broken 10% marketshare, flop)

 

[MAlbi]

1st generation developers must, because your fellow competitor will
2nd generation for the lucky awwwws
Well enjoy, whatever…

 

[Alex Offline]

Second generation..
Have I missed several years now? 🤨

 

[topdrawer]

These can be pretty small now.

and for those that don’t like YouTube video links, a link to the company’s page.

https://www.bigscreenvr.com/

These are wired and require a PC and room beacons, and they don’t do AR, but this is where the state of the art is headed. For $999.

Time to update that concept artwork.

so you can't even let other people use it if you got prescription? i don't think this is good.

 

[techpr]

AR/VR is a niche market 😏

AR/VR will be a big global market in 3-5+ years. Everyone will be interacting specially in AR.

 

[StoneJack]

AR/VR will be a big global market in 3-5+ years. Everyone will be interacting specially in AR.

yeah 3D TVs were a big hit...no

 

[Mike WA4D]

Niche Market! If Apple really wants this AR/VR headset to be successful. Release the cheaper model first (see how it plays in the market) and then move towards releasing an expensive model second.

Thankfully Apple became one of the most successful companies in the world not listening to bad advice from consumers.

 

[svish]

Looks like the cheaper AR/VR device will also be at least $2000

 

[Bodhitree]

If that is really the approach Apple is really using. As a consumer, I feel like I'm getting scammed. I don't think Apple will release a product that is half way done. There is no guarantee, the content creators/developers will be fully vested in the upcoming Apple AR/VR. If it's not going to generate any money for them. They are not going to bother. Look at what happened to the Lidar Sensor, 5-7 years later we don't see the Lidar being used efficiently as it should.

I think in a way with the headset you have to see it as “they need to release a product in this space”, otherwise Meta or Google or Snap or MagicLeap will end up making a viable product and owning the early metaverse, making it that much harder to enter into the market later on.

It’s probably true that eventually glasses are a better “only computing device” than a smartphone, but we’re talking 20-30 years I believe. Even in a decade you can see the smartphone’s progress, it has become a much faster and more all-around device. But I don’t see the smartphone shrinking down to the handle of a pair of glasses in another ten years.

The practical use case for the ideal glasses is unquestionably very strong. For an augmented reality headset, it’s an unknown, and we will have to see what Apple has envisioned.