The MacRumors Show: Product Designer Marcus Kane Envisions What Apple's AR/VR Headset Could Look Like

[TracerAnalog]

if Apple somehow can show us some convincing use cases for AR, the looks of the device won’t be too important, especially for a first generation product.

In other words (and to very freely paraphrase Steve Jobs): ‘it’s the software you silly billy!’

 

[Realityck]

if Apple somehow can show us some convincing use cases for AR, the looks of the device won’t be too important, especially for a first generation product.

In other words (and to very freely paraphrase Steve Jobs): ‘it’s the software you silly billy!’

One example of AR could be a 3D alternative to looking at your iPhone screen that you see as you go about real world activities. Example why would you look at NAV GPS map and your location when you could see it represented on some form of non-immersion wearable when you are going to some location in a city. Let's go further with that, how about telling you where you are in a building related to who you are visiting that is 10 stories high. Think about what this could do with public safety personnel.

 

[richinaus]

One example of AR could be a 3D alternative to looking at your iPhone screen that you see as you go about real world activities. Example why would you look at NAV GPS map and your location when you could see it represented on some form of non-immersion wearable when you are going to some location in a city. Let's go further with that, how about telling you where you are in a building related to who you are visiting that is 10 stories high. Think about what this could do with public safety personnel.

the only thing i am adding to this whole thread is this - it is limitless. Yes, location-specific information is one of those possibilities, among many others.

 

[MLMcMillion]

Hey, at least this mockup takes into account the fact that most people have noses

 

[George Dawes]

Choice between this and a nice big tv , know which one I’d choose …

 

[Realityck]

Choice between this and a nice big tv , know which one I’d choose …

I always felt given todays technology and going off topic, that viewing 4K content on 77" TV was always better than thinking you could achieve the equivalency wearing some enclosed headset. I feel the same with people that listen to a Dolby Atmos multiple speaker with film or concert content yet again some people think game headphones that mimic surround sound is able to somehow achieve equivalency too.

I does make you chuckle which people are likely to tolerate better.

 

[ipedro]

Is that small size really realistic of today's technology? I'm thinking of the Magic Leap which seems to be the smallest unit out there, and it's still significantly larger than these concepts

The iPhone wasn't realistic with 2007 technology. There was no multi touch display with that kind of fidelity that could be built at scale and affordable for the mass market or a chip capable of running desktop class internet on a phone. Apple took upcoming technology and packaged it in ways that met the vision they had set for it and solved for other impossibilities by leveraging the fact that they're vertically integrated, making both the software and hardware and could scale OS X to work on a phone.

I'm still having trouble seeing anyone outside of specialized industries really wearing a goggles like design, I would think it would be closer to some sort of device that's easy on/off like glasses.

You're not thinking three dimensionally. There are real world applications for this, you just need to stop trying to apply today's reality to tomorrow's technology. Microsoft followed that model, thinking that a smart phone was just a Windows PC on a smaller screen. Apple instead reinvented what a pocket computer should be, dropping the cursor concept which was created for use with a mouse (which others simply replaced with a stylus) and invented an entirely new input method and UI made specifically for a touch screen with multi finger gesture capabilities.

 

[Seanm57]

Is that small size really realistic of today's technology? I'm thinking of the Magic Leap which seems to be the smallest unit out there, and it's still significantly larger than these concepts, and I belive that's only AR and not VR. Initially priced at I believe $2300 I would think Apple is using similar component technology. Although that was a few years ago so maybe technology has caught up and components are smaller, plus the battery is offloaded.

I'm still having trouble seeing anyone outside of specialized industries really wearing a goggles like design, I would think it would be closer to some sort of device that's easy on/off like glasses. At least now it has a nylon band, instead of the other idiotic concept with a fluoroelastomer band. Man, this is going to be really crazy when released with all the buildup.

Magic leap is see through AR like HoloLens. There are limitations on size due to the way they project the image. Apples device will be passthrough AR. That is when color cameras are used to “see through” the device. As a HoloLens and Quest Pro owner, I can tell you the small FOV and transparency are the main limiters on the see through designs right now. Admittedly I have not tried the local dimming on Magic Leap.

No one is wearing this out of the home or office. We aren’t there yet. However, there are other very compelling use cases inside the home and office that can benefit from these type of AR devices until the form factor can be miniaturized.

As far as possibility of being that small? Look into the Vive Flow for an example of what is possible as of a few years ago.

 

[jjudson]

This girl was sitting across from me on my flight out of Boston today. Perhaps she's an Apple headset tester?

 

[ebika]

 

[X38]

On this week's episode of The MacRumors Show, we discuss the design of Apple's upcoming mixed-reality headset with professional product designer Marcus Kane.

Marcus is an industrial designer and UX consultant who uses virtual and augmented reality headsets on a daily basis to support his workflow. He recently created detailed concept renders of what he expects Apple's mixed-reality headset will look like with YouTuber David Lewis based on rumors, Apple patent filings, and his own expertise.

Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos​

We talk through Marcus's approach to the design and what existing Apple products inspired him, looking at some of the key aspects that Apple will have had to consider with the device. We also discuss the broader user experience with the headset, including its rumored waist-mounted battery pack – which Marcus has envisioned as enclosed in a pouch on a shoulder-strap that also contains a cable to power the device, potential restriction to indoors use only, and real-world passthrough with a "reality dial."

Since Marcus uses existing headset products to support his design work, we learn about some of practical use-cases for this category of device, where Apple could compete, and what key software features the company could deliver. See more of Marcus's work over in David Lewis's latest video, and follow him on Instagram and Twitter.

We also discuss some of this week's latest Apple news, including the rumor that watchOS 10 will include significant UI changes, iOS 17's purported Control Center redesign, display changes for 2025's iPhone lineup, and more.

Listen to The MacRumors Show in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, Pocket Casts, Castro, Google Podcasts, or your preferred podcasts app. You can also copy our RSS feed directly into your podcast player. Watch a video version of the show on the MacRumors YouTube channel.

​

If you haven't already listened to the previous episode of The MacRumors Show, catch up for our discussion about WWDC 2023 and whether Apple's headset will finally emerge at the event.

Subscribe to The MacRumors Show for more episodes, where we discuss some of the topical news breaking here on MacRumors, often joined by exciting guests like

Full Article Link: The MacRumors Show: Product Designer Marcus Kane Envisions What Apple's AR/VR Headset Could Look Like

What was the design software that Mr. Kane mentioned using for his design work in VR? (Sorry, I’m struggling with hearing the name clearly through his accent.)
Sounds quite interesting and exactly what I’ve been waiting for since I first heard of VR back in the late 80’s.

Definitely agree with his assessment that serving as a virtual screen or screen replacement for existing devices would be one of the most interesting use cases. Hopefully Apple gets that part right.

 

[titanium_man]

Pretty sure Apple will use their upcoming films, Killers of the Flower Moon and Napoleon to promote the Glasses. They could even have Scorsese and Ridley Scott in one of those promotional videos saying how great they are, how it is like being at the cinema and so on.

 

[AtomicDusk]

Not great Bob!

At least with respect to my personal sensibilities.

 

[svish]

Hopefully it won't have a waist mounted battery pack.

 

[wigby]

If it looks like anything resembling a sleeping mask it will be a no-buy for me.

Apple has got to do 10x better than Meta, HTC, and Sony at designing a beautiful headset that people will actually want to wear in public and won’t make them objects of ridicule like the Google Glass. And that was a headset that only obscured a small part of your face!

It’s a tall order, but Apple are the ones who could make this a socially desirable AR/VR product.

This will be announced only to developers and only for developers. It will be about $2k. It's not for consumers until 1-2 years from now. Maybe a few developers will wear it in public but I doubt it.

 

[King_Kimbo]

can’t wait to get one of these. Anticipating how much this is hopefully going to help my job

 

[ThisIsMike]

This sling for the battery is not happening. Apple will allow you three options in regard to the battery case - 1) stick it in your pocket 2) clip it to yourself 3) wear with an arm band.

The arm band is so obvious as a superior alternative to a shoulder sling I’m surprised he didn’t go with that.

 

[enterthemerdaverse]

This is a very bad design.

It doesn't rest on the ears well. The sharp edge strap would cut into the flesh above your ear socket.

The back of the strap has the potential to slip down on the user's head especially when the strap becomes looser and worn out after regular use.

It needs easy adjustability while the device is on not before the device is worn. There's no way to change the tightness.

A device like this has to be super stable do the UI to not cause maximum nausea.

White fabric straps will get dirty and ugly.

 

[Boeingfan]

Didn’t apple recently introduce a way to monitor screen time to help parents and others reduce device reliance? Do the goggles go in the other direction? What is the point of these things?

 

[Boeingfan]

Hopefully it won't have a waist mounted battery pack.

What about a head mounted solar panel? Or a satellite dish? Or a Rolodex? Will it scan microfiche?

 

[Bonte]

I think it needs more distance to the eyes to even work, the concept is nice but to optimistic. I guess the pouch would also need to carry the computing power to make the glasses as light as possible, an added benefit would be that the glasses could be sold separately and connect to a computer or maybe even a iPhone/iPad.

 

[Bonte]

Hopefully it won't have a waist mounted battery pack.

I guess you can also carry it on your head, as a neck-warmer maybe. So many options.

It has to be wired to a power source somehow, be it a PC, outlet or battery.

 

[Dorje Sylas]

Was this designed to MacRumors specs? If so MR shouldn't quit their day jobs. This is really goofy, and looks like a Rokid and similar Wearable Displays... but worse. With no room for prescription lenses, or enough for mechanical focusing. I just don't see how all the supposed tech would it.

It's not stable with only a single horizontal strap, and doesn't seem to have have in-line eye cameras for passthrough. Which would waste the Limbak lenses.

Don't get me wrong, it would be amazing if Apple had a super thin automatic Adjustable-focus lens system, that responded to Eye Tracking. Adjusting itself on the fly to near/far focus. But this design wouldn't have room.

 

[RammyXX]

Now this looks like a VR/AR headset... before the engineers enter the room and laugh at the silly product designer.

 

[Audiophilip]

Is that small size really realistic of today's technology? I'm thinking of the Magic Leap which seems to be the smallest unit out there, and it's still significantly larger than these concepts, and I belive that's only AR and not VR. Initially priced at I believe $2300 I would think Apple is using similar component technology. Although that was a few years ago so maybe technology has caught up and components are smaller, plus the battery is offloaded.

Yes, actually it's realistic to have a VR headset of this size. Check out Bigscreen Beyond. It's $999, so it doesn't even have to be priced at a premium price point.