Kuo: Apple's Mixed-Reality Headset Could Launch as Late as 2024

[KaiFiMacFan]

So “only 500k” if launched by shopping season I mean December but still gonna die on the “oNlY fOr PrOfEsSiOnAlS” and $3k hill huh? Not sure if anyone here is a math genius or has any common sense, but something here isn’t adding up…

The "only for professionals" argument seriously needs to go away. This delay between announcement and release is part of what will allow developers to make apps/content for it. The device isn't going to be 7 months away and also "developer only". This is the consumer device at whatever price they announce today, like it or lump it.

 

[HeroOfTime32]

Software will be key for this. The other thing that may really not help Apple when entering the VR space is their HORRIBLE support for gaming on Mac platforms. If this is ultimately tied into iOS/iPadOS then that would help...but even the games on iOS are just shells of what can ultimately be experienced on console/PC ecosystems. They've got a lot of catching up to do on gaming...and frankly, gaming is one of the largest draws to the VR platform.

 

[Kiimora]

It thought this was about to be launched 🤷🏻‍♀️, now ‘am confused 😗

 

[XboxEvolved]

The "only for professionals" argument seriously needs to go away. This delay between announcement and release is part of what will allow developers to make apps/content for it. The device isn't going to be 7 months away and also "developer only". This is the consumer device at whatever price they announce today, like it or lump it.

What I’m getting at is I didn’t buy for a second that they were entering a new market with something geared towards only a niche, and I don’t buy the $3k price either. $2k or less sounds far more plausible.

 

[Kiimora]

It thought this was about to be launched 🤷🏻‍♀️, now ‘am confused 😗

Ah got it! Announced not launched

 

[KaiFiMacFan]

What I’m getting at is I didn’t buy for a second that they were entering a new market with something geared towards only a niche, and I don’t buy the $3k price either. $2k or less sounds far more plausible.

Yeah, I just meant that there's no way this device is only leading up to a "cheaper" consumer device later. Apple has never done that. This is the consumer device and the rumored specs put it far ahead of anything else on the market now, so I'm a bit concerned about the price. I think they could manage that at 2K maybe, but I'm sure it will be more expensive than other headsets. It won't be easy to create an entirely new market and convince consumers this is the thing to buy for the holidays if the price for entry is so high.

 

[Mescagnus]

It's DOA with a price tag of 3K or up.

Not really. I'll buy one!

 

[MacManiac1]

I suspect different models. I suspect it will start at $1995 and then more advanced models with more memory or capabilities will be more. Interesting to see if it has a swappable battery.

 

[Neepman]

My bet is that this will be the Apple Newton for the 2020s - in 2040 (if we're not hunting for fresh rats) we'll be looking at retro holo-casts on EyeTube saying how it was ahead of its time and might have succeeded if only they'd had modern retinal implant technology...

But then, like you, I'd have said that about the Watch - but in many ways that had an existing potential market with an established "killer app" (fitness/health monitoring), and just had to displace FitBit to succeed. The goggles seem to be pitching for a whole new market (rather than gaming).

Exactly. To succeed, it needs to fulfill or create a need. As well as not cost a months mortgage payment.

 

[LIVEFRMNYC]

I'm not judging the price until I see what it can do. If it's just another run of the mill mixed reality headset with spec bragging rights, then I'll pass. But if the design, software, and apps/games are unique and top notch, then the techie in me will pay the $3k.

 

[Drewps5co0tt]

Rumors are this thing is supposed to cost 3K or more, I think they've shot themselves in the foot with this. Who (besides rich folks) is going to drop 3K on a VR headset? They are really getting out of control with their pricing structure.

 

[Drewps5co0tt]

I wonder how many people will buy them at $3k? And how fast they will hit the resell market once people have buyers remorse.

Only rich folk!

 

[anselpela]

AirPower was so weird when you think about it…

Eh, not really. Apple was introducing Qi charging in iPhone, which sucked, and still does without MagSafe. They wanted people to see that they had a vision for something better and that plain Qi wasn't just "good enough" for iPhone. They were 100% certain it was going to work even though they hadn't made one yet. In the end it didn't, because Qi is just that much of a POS that even Apple couldn't make it work within the standard. So they stopped and invented MagSafe instead.

 

[Drewps5co0tt]

I'm not judging the price until I see what it can do. If it's just another run of the mill mixed reality headset with spec bragging rights, then I'll pass. But if the design, software, and apps/games are unique and top notch, then the techie in me will pay the $3k.

You go Wells Fargo!

 

[anselpela]

I wonder how many people will buy them at $3k? And how fast they will hit the resell market once people have buyers remorse.

Very few. Which is why it isn't going to cost $3k.

 

[KaiFiMacFan]

Eh, not really. Apple was introducing Qi charging in iPhone, which sucked, and still does without MagSafe. They wanted people to see that they had a vision for something better and that plain Qi wasn't just "good enough" for iPhone. They were 100% certain it was going to work even though they hadn't made one yet. In the end it didn't, because Qi is just that much of a POS that even Apple couldn't make it work within the standard. So they stopped and invented MagSafe instead.

Oh I get the philosophy behind it, I just meant it was weird because it's one of the only times Apple has done "fake it till you make it". They showed off a non-functioning device at an event (don't think they've ever done that before) and continued to promote it in packaging up until a couple weeks before it was discontinued. Did they really think it was going to work up until the last minute?

 

[Blackstick]

Not really. I'll buy one!

Let's ask 1000 other people if they will...

 

[Johnnyponken]

Pricewise its going to be 999 or 1499. They are going the same path as Sony did with psvr 2. Sony subsidied their headset, Apple will do it too

 

[Useless Touchbar]

This better be truly groundbreaking

 

[anselpela]

One of these 2 things has to be true:

1. Apple has a vision for this that has yet to be understood by the rumor mill.
2. It doesn't cost $3k.

There is no way in hell that both of those things are untrue. Not a chance that Apple is going to release a wearable iPad for $3k. If they do, it will be sad sad day.

 

[anselpela]

Oh I get the philosophy behind it, I just meant it was weird because it's one of the only times Apple has done "fake it till you make it". They showed off a non-functioning device at an event (don't think they've ever done that before) and continued to promote it in packaging up until a couple weeks before it was discontinued. Did they really think it was going to work up until the last minute?

Well yeah I think it did work, but was one of those products that took so long to get working that they were excusing its lack of quality control until very late. To the point where they were weeks or months away from shipping, and starting to include reference to it on packaging/inserts. But someone stepped in said 1 out of a 1000 units overheating and needing to be replaced is not good enough, and axed the entire thing at the last minute.

 

[XboxEvolved]

Yeah, I just meant that there's no way this device is only leading up to a "cheaper" consumer device later. Apple has never done that. This is the consumer device and the rumored specs put it far ahead of anything else on the market now, so I'm a bit concerned about the price. I think they could manage that at 2K maybe, but I'm sure it will be more expensive than other headsets. It won't be easy to create an entirely new market and convince consumers this is the thing to buy for the holidays if the price for entry is so high.

That isn’t necessarily true; we got cheaper Macs (Mac mini), cheaper iPods after the first, cheaper watches, cheaper iPads, cheaper iPhones, but that was to expand the base more than it already was. Essentially I do see basically a repackaged version of this selling a year after its launch for $1k, while the Pro version gets the latest updates.

 

[anselpela]

Let's ask 1000 other people if they will...

Which goes something like this:

Q: Would you buy a mixed reality headset from Apple for $3k?
A: What the heck is a mixed reality headset?

Slightly different conversation from would you buy a phone, would you buy a watch, would you buy a tablet, would you buy a computer....

 

[anselpela]

That isn’t necessarily true; we got cheaper Macs (Mac mini), cheaper iPods after the first, cheaper watches, cheaper iPads, cheaper iPhones, but that was to expand the base more than it already was. Essentially I do see basically a repackaged version of this selling a year after its launch for $1k, while the Pro version gets the latest updates.

This conversation is pointless until we see what Apple has today. Both their vision and placement of this product, and its price.

 

[KaiFiMacFan]

Well yeah I think it did work, but was one of those products that took so long to get working that they were excusing its lack of quality control until very late. To the point where they were weeks or months away from shipping, and starting to include reference to it on packaging/inserts. But someone stepped in said 1 out of a 1000 units overheating and needing to be replaced is not good enough, and axed the entire thing at the last minute.

Eh, I'm not so sure about that. If it's true that it did work, how come they weren't able to show off a working model?

That isn’t necessarily true; we got cheaper Macs (Mac mini), cheaper iPods after the first, cheaper watches, cheaper iPads, cheaper iPhones, but that was to expand the base more than it already was. Essentially I do see basically a repackaged version of this selling a year after its launch for $1k, while the Pro version gets the latest updates.

They will probably come out with other models after this initial release. This may be the "high-end" model that comes first. But it won't be easy to get consumers on board if this device's price is so high. The first iPhones and iPads were reasonably priced, even if they came out with cheaper and more expensive "pro" models later. If this device really is $3K, that's going to be quite the barrier. This is the time they need to get consumers convinced this is something they need to have.