Report: Apple Mixed-Reality Headset to Feature Iris Scanning for Authentication and Payments

[Unregistered 4U]

This I don’t understand...the need to wear glasses with any VR headset. Why can’t I simply input my prescription information and the headset adjust the screen resolution so that it appears crystal clear to my vision specs?

It depends…

 

[PowerButton]

This seems pretty interesting 🤔
I hope it doesn’t get too hot on the face.

 

[PowerButton]

What a clever way to gather data profile from TouchID, FaceID and now IrisID.

At least they don’t have DNAID yet, lol

 

[Unregistered 4U]

The use case I’m interested in is the elimination of the need for a screen on my phone. Augmented reality should be able to superimpose information that I would otherwise have to look at my phone to receive. Which then fades into why have a phone at all? Without need for a screen, the device that does the computing and network communication could be much smaller in the pocket, or be done by the Apple Watch--battery size being the unknown limitation to size shrinkage.

I wonder if the difference between the Pro and the consumer set would be that the Pro comes with a processor, but the consumer uses your phone? With AR, you could have your data phone sized, iPad sized or huge multi screen desktop sized. Of course, it’s all some version of iOS and all runs the same apps unlike something like DeX.

 

[phenste]

predicting Apple is so stupidly easy these days

Kuo said it = virtually 100% accurate
Young said it = 80% chance, esp. with Kuo corroboration
Gurman said it = literally just a parrot of the former two mixed with his own…let’s just say “dreams”
P.S.—Gruber’s “little birdies” always give fun tidbits

 

[newyorksole]

this seems like a strategic controlled leak lol

anyway… I still have no idea how exactly this will work at all lol like I can’t picture it in real world use, but I’m excited.

 

[Pezimak]

I think we can all agree, whatever Apple comes up with, it will look nothing like the render Mac Rumors keep using for these stories lol. It’s gonna be expensive too.

 

[CarAnalogy]

This feels uncomfortably similar to Blade Runner.

View attachment 2094750

Soon we are going to need this tech to detect the killer androids.

 

[t0rqx]

The IRIS data will be saved on your device. This is true. However the backdoors implemented by Apple because of US Government regulations will make it possible for it to be easily downloaded from your device.

 

[MacLawyer]

I think we've seen these before. Dorky then. Dorky now. 😂

 

[ponzicoinbro]

If anyone asks to scan your iris, ask them this.

Send your kids over.

Let me scan their iris and keep data on them.

If they say no, that tells you everything you need to know.

They don’t AF about your family.

They only give AF about their own.

 

[ponzicoinbro]

this seems like a strategic controlled leak lol

anyway… I still have no idea how exactly this will work at all lol like I can’t picture it in real world use, but I’m excited.

I would not get excited.

We don’t know what Apple will be like in 10 years.

The whole leadership will change.

They could become a pro dictator completely fascist leadership.

And then anyone who uses this will be ****ed.

Some tech companies have already worsened after a leadership change.

Google has hired so many Shiv Sena fundamentalists it is going to be a big pain.

 

[8KYUP]

That Quest Pro at 722 grams. That's a LOT of weight on your head and neck and assuming it isn't well balanced then I assume most of it is at the front and over your eyes. That will be really uncomfortable to wear for long periods and for regular repeated use.

I'm a long term spectacles wearer and have switched between glass and plastic lenses over the years, and just that switch, a few tens of grams, can make a big different to long term wearability.

I'm also a long term headphone wearer and pretty much anything over 350 grams is borderline uncomfortable, and remember that headphone weight normally IS well balanced and supported by a good, padded headband.

Apple's kit really needs to be light - much lighter than 722 grams - if it's going to be something that can support long term and repeated use. And if long term and repeated use isn't sustainable, it will be relegated to gaming sessions and novelty use. And will fail. Particularly if it is expensive, which it looks like it will be.

There's been a lot of talk about what this AR/VR headset will do and I'm genuinely interested and hopefully optimistic. But that weight. Get it right, Apple.

Meta has moved the battery behind the head and by all reports it is much better balanced that the Quest and is comfortable for 8 hours. Plug it in for USBC power for desk work and battery when moving around.

 

[QuiteSharp]

Optic ID, Lens ID

 

[rehkram]

Interesting that there's very little discussion of software on this thread. Hardware is, was and always has been largely unimportant in the evolution of a device class in the long term.

The bigger issue here is self-inflicted exposure to malicious social engineering by the terminally credulous. George Orwell is turning in his grave.

 

[robbietop]

The use case I’m interested in is the elimination of the need for a screen on my phone. Augmented reality should be able to superimpose information that I would otherwise have to look at my phone to receive. Which then fades into why have a phone at all? Without need for a screen, the device that does the computing and network communication could be much smaller in the pocket, or be done by the Apple Watch--battery size being the unknown limitation to size shrinkage.

Apple Watch is a downgrade in screen real estate size. I do not want to interact with my AW beyond basic text reception and reading, time checking, directions, or weather. I respond to texts on my phone. And I do not want a constant eyesore sitting on my head distracting me with a mountain of emails, texts, app updates, and other nuisances I have my phone silenced to avoid and return to when I feel like it.

 

[Mousse]

The internet: Why doesn't Apple do a new thing?

Also the internet: Why is Apple doing a new thing?

People on the internet have varying opinions. 🙃I'm shock! Shock, I tell you.🙃

I can't wait for the dystopian future some folks want for us where we only go where Apple/Google/<Your MegaCorp Here> leads.😒

"We have created for the first time in all history a garden of pure ideology, where each worker may bloom, secure from the pests of any contradictory true thoughts.
Our Unification of Thoughts is more powerful a weapon than any fleet or army on earth.
We are one people, with one will, one resolve, one cause.
Our enemies shall talk themselves to death and we will bury them with their own confusion.
We shall prevail!"

 

[Unregistered 4U]

The IRIS data will be saved on your device. This is true. However the backdoors implemented by Apple because of US Government regulations will make it possible for it to be easily downloaded from your device.

Then, the IRIS data will actually be saved on the device AND in a Government repository. And once the government knows what everyone using this device’s irises look like… ummm.

Once they know, they will… I’m sure the first thing they’ll do with... ahh with this very valuable information...

I lost my conspiracy notes. What will they do with eye information that they can’t already do with the volumes of information they have already obtained through all the other ways that the government tracks us?

 

[robbietop]

this seems like a strategic controlled leak lol

anyway… I still have no idea how exactly this will work at all lol like I can’t picture it in real world use, but I’m excited.

It's a market interest gauge to see how many people actually want to buy a redundant toy that does everything your phone already does, so trying to figure out who actually would buy it.

The reason why it keeps in the rumor mill and never releases is because Apple's Market Research actually shows very little interest beyond tech hobbyists.

MKBHD buying one isn't enough of a reason to release. Also, looking at Oculus and PSVR sales numbers as well as developers actually committing to make experiences beyond the 2 hour mark paints a very bleak picture for this device.

Google Glass was very ahead of its time and it flopped so hard Google canceled as quick as possible.

There is Zero interest beyond gamers and tech hobbyists.

It's also the same reason Apple is avoiding making a foldable phone. Zero interest beyond tech hobbyists and people who buy things for status symbols.

 

[bobenhaus]

I TrUSt Apple wiTh My dAta 🧟‍♂️.

This is not Google or Facebook, Timmy said privacy is a human right. /s

HAHAHA . Delusional to some. 🙂

 

[IllinoisCorn]

What are they gonna call it? Eye ID, Retina ID, See ID

IrisID

 

[Mousse]

It's also the same reason Apple is avoiding making a foldable phone. Zero interest beyond tech hobbyists and people who buy things for status symbols.

You just described over half iPhone demographics.😏

I think we can all agree, whatever Apple comes up with, it will look nothing like the render Mac Rumors keep using for these stories lol. It’s gonna be expensive too.

I predict it will look like helmet with flip down visor. Tell something like isn't more comfortable to wear than googles.🤨

I'd get one customized as a knight's helmet 'cause my kids tells everyone I'm Middle Aged.

 

[NT1440]

I see no way this sells any better than the Oculus, which is abysmal. We have about a 50/50 return rate with the Oculus, or it sits in the plastic wrap on the shelf collecting dust for over half a year until an employee gets it dirt cheap in an idle inventory adjustment to flush it out the door. Also, Games are short and overpriced.

Also, how is this better than a smartphone, tablet, or even a TV?
Playstation VR I had a very basic issue: After a while, my arms got tired and all I really wanted to do was play games with a controller on a large TV. Same with media consumption.

I am really trying to understand why Meta, Google, and Apple all seem to think AR/VR is NOT a niche industry with a very solid ceiling beyond which growth is impossible.

Google Glass may have been early, but if the concept is so appealing to over 50% of the human race, why have we seen only Sony and Oculus make it to market since Google Glass despite the technology obviously catching up?

I really do not see a huge market for these goggles. They're obviously going to be illegal to use while driving a motor vehicle. No one wants to look like a bunch of idiots walking around looking like goofy morons on the street, so that's not in the cards. And I have a big screen TV with better methods of input (controller/keyboard and mouse), so it's a very specific use case in the house for a very specific experience.

But then I have to add one last thing: I and a good chunk of the human race get claustrophobic and get motion sickness from these goggles, which automatically rules me out of ever making a purchase, even if I remotely found the experience interesting beyond a try it once just to see. That's a lot of customers you won't be able to sell to. Along with the weight causing neck cramps, headaches, etc. They will need to seriously design around this.

I am sorry if you're an AR/VR fan, but I work in selling electronics and VR is not a hit. In fact, most people complain about having to take multiple breaks because the games wear them out and they'd prefer and mouse and keyboard or controller. And then they walk out with a PS4/5 or Xbox. Then we put the Oculus back on the shelf and it's used, and it sits there for about 3 months collecting dust until the process repeats itself. PS VR has a better stay rate due to Sony investing REAL money into great titles and content as well as tie ins to AAA titles such as a side story, etc for the device instead of mediocre ports for a cash grab at a ridiculously inflated price.

Capitalism has run out of markets to expand into. The idea of a virtual universe is they have a new frontier to conquer. Expect micro-transactions from every company in this space whos business model doesn’t rely on selling the hardware itself.

 

[lazyrighteye]

I see no way this sells any better than the Oculus, which is abysmal. We have about a 50/50 return rate with the Oculus, or it sits in the plastic wrap on the shelf collecting dust for over half a year until an employee gets it dirt cheap in an idle inventory adjustment to flush it out the door. Also, Games are short and overpriced.

Also, how is this better than a smartphone, tablet, or even a TV?
Playstation VR I had a very basic issue: After a while, my arms got tired and all I really wanted to do was play games with a controller on a large TV. Same with media consumption.

I am really trying to understand why Meta, Google, and Apple all seem to think AR/VR is NOT a niche industry with a very solid ceiling beyond which growth is impossible.

Google Glass may have been early, but if the concept is so appealing to over 50% of the human race, why have we seen only Sony and Oculus make it to market since Google Glass despite the technology obviously catching up?

I really do not see a huge market for these goggles. They're obviously going to be illegal to use while driving a motor vehicle. No one wants to look like a bunch of idiots walking around looking like goofy morons on the street, so that's not in the cards. And I have a big screen TV with better methods of input (controller/keyboard and mouse), so it's a very specific use case in the house for a very specific experience.

But then I have to add one last thing: I and a good chunk of the human race get claustrophobic and get motion sickness from these goggles, which automatically rules me out of ever making a purchase, even if I remotely found the experience interesting beyond a try it once just to see. That's a lot of customers you won't be able to sell to. Along with the weight causing neck cramps, headaches, etc. They will need to seriously design around this.

I am sorry if you're an AR/VR fan, but I work in selling electronics and VR is not a hit. In fact, most people complain about having to take multiple breaks because the games wear them out and they'd prefer and mouse and keyboard or controller. And then they walk out with a PS4/5 or Xbox. Then we put the Oculus back on the shelf and it's used, and it sits there for about 3 months collecting dust until the process repeats itself. PS VR has a better stay rate due to Sony investing REAL money into great titles and content as well as tie ins to AAA titles such as a side story, etc for the device instead of mediocre ports for a cash grab at a ridiculously inflated price.

I definitely see a way this sells more than Oculus. For starters, Apple is not Meta. Their user bases couldn't be more different. Apple knows they have enough of a bleeding edge (aka: rabid) user base that will jump in on v1 (regardless of price, features, etc.) to likely justify the undoubtedly significant R&D for such an endeavor. If &D isn't recouped with v1, certainly by v2 they will.

Secondly, Apple's ecosystem is also a significant difference here. Their HUD will only, and obviously, slide right into the mix, adding some additional features to their ecosystem previously not possible. As the category matures, you can bet the farm we'll see tiers to their HUD: SE, Air, regular, Pro, Max, Ultra - whatever. HUDs for all! 🤪

Additionally, just because Meta didn't get it right, has absolutely zero bearing on the category's overall potential. Like, none. The category is in it's infancy - I'd argue it's still gestating in the womb. Meta's vision of the Metaverse is, unsurprisingly, missing the point completely. The potential here seems less about being taken away to another place and much more about how we interface with our current spaces. Sure, entertainment will likely be the port of entry to the platform, I get that. But the bigger picture seems more about how we interface with technology. I see VR more as an evolution of the keyboard, the mouse, trackpad and touch. Can completely see where some form of HUD + gestures will replace computer monitors. Why be limited to a 27" monitor when you can have your entire field of vision, x-axis included, as your monitor?

Anyway, there is definitely a category here. One that is merely beginning. Whether you agree, or not, want it or not, can see it or not, it is inevitable. This is actually not being built for you, or me - our time, our marketability, has runs its course. This is being built for current kindergarteners who will one day not crack open a laptop to go to work, but strap on some goggles or glasses and go to work. Should be interesting to see how this unfolds.

 

[TVreporter]

Every time I see that concept art I think of this...