Kuo: Apple Mixed-Reality Headset May Not Appear at WWDC as Mass Production Pushed Back Yet Again

[terminator-jq]

WWDC is all about software. Im thinking they spend a good amount of time talking about the software side and getting developers amped up. Maybe we get a glimpse of the hardware as well. Then in the fall, they give us more hardware details and announce the release date.

For a product like this, they may need more than 1 event to stir up the level of hype they need. Plus I’m sure they will give early access to some developers to get some quality apps ready at launch.

Also if they keep delaying it then hopefully they opt for the M3 rather than the rumored M2. Might as well make it more future proofed. Especially for $3K

 

[citysnaps]

MR still has no clue what the difference is between VR, AR, and XR.

All of the leaks have been gravitating towards a device focusing on AR/XR rather than VR, a precursor to the glasses and yet we still have people thinking this is set to compete with the usual $300 gaming oriented headsets.

Spot on.

Seems many people don't know the difference, refusing to learn what AR is about, and reflexively assume Apple's device will be VR related. And thus Apple's device will flop, like they've believed all Apple products would flop when introduced.

 

[patent10021]

Notice anything?

Existing products envisioned and captained by SJ (and derivative products), moving through production pipeline.

The single product developed under 'Twitter On the Low Down Timmy' can't even make it into production (or at least without major problems or pushback).

Ballmer might as well be running the show.

 

[orbital~debris]

Notice anything?

Existing products envisioned and captained by SJ (and derivative products), moving through production pipeline.

The single product developed under 'Twitter On the Low Down Timmy' management can't even make it into production.

Balmer might as well be running the show.

You make an interesting point (don't necessarily agree…).

But Ballmer — sheesh! That's cold 🥶

 

[DevNull0]

I have no doubt that it will be mentioned in this years WWDC at the very least. I'll be very surprised if they reveal the product physically because they will have to demonstrate it, and I don't see that happening in WWDC.

I would guess the real reason for the delay is they're thinking about quietly killing the product.

They're not going to mention it at WWDC because right now it's just a rumour and they want to keep it that way..

 

[itsboi]

Seems many people don't know the difference, refusing to learn what AR is about, and reflexively assume Apple's device will be VR related. And thus Apple's device will flop, like they've believed all Apple products would flop when introduced.

Ironic that this is a tech forum and somehow never fails to be tech illiterate. AR has always been the focus, coming straight from Timmy’s mouth and the 6 year old existing ARkit. The boomer takes and lack of imagination is really tiring.

 

[contacos]

Spot on.

Seems many people don't know the difference, refusing to learn what AR is about, and reflexively assume Apple's device will be VR related. And thus Apple's device will flop, like they've believed all Apple products would flop when introduced.

People could not even be bothered to leave AR on on Pokémon Go on their smartphone. Will be interesting to see how many people want to wear that thing on their head. I am already annoyed that I have to get regular glasses soon. That’s bad enough and doing it willingly? Nah!

I tried the AR thing on the IKEA App and the luggage measuring AR thing on Lufthansa and ugh so cumbersome, I’ll personally just gonna continue to do it „offline“

 

[aknabi]

It's going to be a long presentation detailing a yellow already released iphone.

Nah, once this decision was made they brought in the paint chips to decide what color to replace the AR announcement with... how about "Tangerine"? Something that bold will make people forget there's no AR headset at WWDC!

 

[compwiz1202]

View attachment 2181148

Pushed back again you say? Ah, I remember the first time this was delayed. Why, it was 30 and one years ago...

It's become so bad even the delays are delayed now.

 

[bobenhaus]

Yeah pushed back because nobody want to pay 3k for a VR headset that is worth 500 bucks.

 

[compwiz1202]

Is there any product we can rely on anymore except the iPhone? Everything else is delayed delayed..... anymore. Even the iPhone was once, but that was COVID, and it only happened once in about one and a half decades.

 

[NT1440]

I would guess the real reason for the delay is they're thinking about quietly killing the product.

They're not going to mention it at WWDC because right now it's just a rumour and they want to keep it that way..

Absolutely absurd. Apple has been working on this for at least 6 years.

What people can’t seem to understand is that “analysts” are hucksters who can always be right by claiming delays. Then people, and the tech “journalism” community take the first prediction as gospel, and believe that x or y had been delayed, when Kuo has no actual idea when Apple is actually planning on release.

I’d love to have such a cushy and consequence free job as him. You can never be wrong about a timeline you threw out, you can just claim delay.

 

[MuppetGate]

Jesus wept …

Ming-Chi Kuo changes his story faster than @TheYayAreaLiving 🎗 changes their avatar.

At some point, the writers here will realise that, at best, he’s guessing. This is the bloke who reckons Apple will change the chipset in a device the day before launch. 🙄

 

[itsboi]

People could not even be bothered to leave AR on on Pokémon Go on their smartphone. Will be interesting to see how many people want to wear that thing on their head. I am already annoyed that I have to get regular glasses soon. That’s bad enough and doing it willingly? Nah!

I tried the AR thing on the IKEA App and the luggage measuring AR thing on Lufthansa and ugh so cumbersome, I’ll personally just gonna continue to do it „offline“

People didn’t bother leaving AR on for Pokémon Go because maybe a 5 inch display, poor camera systems, graphics, lack of LiDAR and accuracy, and spotty 4G isn’t really an immersive experience in 2016.

 

[Realityck]

I have zero interest in this kind of product VR headset. However, sleek AR glasses which could be used for FaceTime calls or navigation etc, do definitively appeal to me. I have a feeling that glasses have way higher potential to become a bit with the general public.

i was thinking the same earlier, much lighter/cheaper could be carried/worn easier, without recording negatives of earlier Google glasse. If this just allows AR augmented views of additional 3D information kinda like online commerce, education learning examples. Still have to convince consumers over time, but no way a iPhone successor.

 

[morningsong]

I've been on the Oculus train for some time. Owned the Rift and now the Quest2.
The thing I don't understand about VR...why can't they just make an extremely light headset that takes in the signal from your computer?
A phone is way lighter than my VR headsets...and I can cast TO a TV or whatever.
All I want is the goggle immersiveness, I don't need it to be the computer doing the work too.
First company that does THAT, will win this whole VR/AR thing...if there is any winning as it is extremely niche..

Tim, I'm available for this idea and many others... would love to visit your spaceship some time.

 

[gmarm]

I have no doubt that it will be mentioned in this years WWDC at the very least. I'll be very surprised if they reveal the product physically because they will have to demonstrate it, and I don't see that happening in WWDC.

Oh, you mean like AirPower? 😄

 

[zapnyc]

If it's great, I'd love one. But Meta Quest 2 is $350. Quest Pro is $1k. If Apple prices it any higher than $1499, they deserve to fall flat on their face. No amount of spinning will justify $3k at this point. Total peak hubris. The consumers (me) in this space are not stupid.

 

[erikkfi]

If it’s delayed just beyond WWDC, isn’t it going to appear at the iPhone event? And then doesn’t that signal confidence that it can produce an “iPhone moment”?

 

[Mr. Dee]

To all those who gave me a thumbs down when I told it’s not gonna show up at WWDC, how are you feeling this morning?

I can tell you what we are gonna see and that’s the new Mac Pro and potentially that 15 inch MacBook Air likely called MacBook Studio debuting the M3.

 

[wirefire]

VR / AR is a cool idea, but it needs to solve a problem... a real problem. it solves problems in some work environments. Things like space exploration, mining, other hazardous jobs... Medical fields and remote education. Military applications, home remodeling and construction. These things all have significant potential but these are not the entry point for Apple (except for remote education). how does this help the average person with day to day life... it doesn't. best thing I can come up with is that I don't have to fight with my wife over a "bigger TV". her headset shows her a 55" and mine shows me my 97" tv in all its glory. maybe I can sit there and watch sports or keep an eye on my Instacart shopper but these are a far cry from things I "need". it is "Cool" to strap on a headset and be able to see the surface of mars. or walk the streets of Paris but it isn't anything that someone "needs."

AR / VR is the kind of product like the apple car in the sense that it needs massive integration to be successful. you need the ecosystem and the device. iPhone was easy. replace the smart phone with a computer... give the masses a few apps and then let the ecosystem grow. AR /VR is a new arena without the ecosystem and purpose it has nothing to start the engine. I have no motivation to buy into this other than the "cool" factor. (and I am not sure I want to wear a 4000 headset to cut plywood / lumber so the AR can tell me exactly where to put my saw to get a perfect fit. that is a pricy measuring tape (and the app that would do this likely doesnt exist yet....)

 

[Realityck]

If I was to ask, why do you have no interest in a VR headset?

Where in all this speculation did some arrive that Apple was producing a mixed reality head set? All the dev materials are AR based. Almost like a rumor that expanded to meet the needs of some rather then being practical and allowing the marketplace to establish the consumer demand.

 

[DarthBuzzard]

I've been on the Oculus train for some time. Owned the Rift and now the Quest2.
The thing I don't understand about VR...why can't they just make an extremely light headset that takes in the signal from your computer?
A phone is way lighter than my VR headsets...and I can cast TO a TV or whatever.
All I want is the goggle immersiveness, I don't need it to be the computer doing the work too.
First company that does THAT, will win this whole VR/AR thing...if there is any winning as it is extremely niche..

Tim, I'm available for this idea and many others... would love to visit your spaceship some time.

Phones have the simplest displays and optics.

VR needs empty space for light to bounce and notably thick lenses. I know that Meta in their labs has managed to achieve paper-thin lenses with almost no empty space needed, but that's years away from hitting products.

VR also needs better heat dissipation than a phone since you're wearing it on your face, which makes things more difficult when designing a chip/battery to fit inside the headset. It's very hard to make this a mainstream technology if it requires a PC.

 

[ThisBougieLife]

To all those who gave me a thumbs down when I told it’s not gonna show up at WWDC, how are you feeling this morning?

I can tell you what we are gonna see and that’s the new Mac Pro and potentially that 15 inch MacBook Air likely called MacBook Studio debuting the M3.

There’s no way they’re calling it the MacBook Studio. They’ve already used “Studio” for a device with the highest-end AS processors. No way they use it for an entry-level laptop.

 

[DarthBuzzard]

Where in all this speculation did some arrive that Apple was producing a mixed reality head set? All the dev materials are AR based.

Consumer scalable AR glasses are years off. The technology doesn't yet exist, and Apple is no exception.

This is an MR headset. It does VR as well as passthrough AR using front-facing cameras.