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xrOS: What to Expect From the Software Designed for Apple's AR/VR Headset
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TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️
Suspended
Rather a thin rumour. Basically we don’t know anything yet about the software, there are just a lot of assumptions and suppositions. There’s still a possibility that Apple may hit this out of the park.
Extremely curious to see:
1. the intended use cases
2. the UI and interaction model
How do we interact with what we see? How do we choose or go back to a previous screen?
We know Apple has had VERY SMART working on the interaction model for years, if not over a decade.
Can't wait to see what their solution to these issues is.
1. the intended use cases
2. the UI and interaction model
How do we interact with what we see? How do we choose or go back to a previous screen?
We know Apple has had VERY SMART working on the interaction model for years, if not over a decade.
Can't wait to see what their solution to these issues is.
This piece of vapourware is fascinating.
As many have noted.. we still dont know what it looks like, whether it exists or not, and what it will do and how much it will cost.
Although rumour sites have been talking about it for years with made-up renders as if its some insider info... nothing is real or confirmed until Apple decide to tell us about it.
I suspect that IF this is a real device... and IF its far north of £1,000 - ie more than a MacBook its appeal will be seriously limited especially a version 1.0 product.
That said Apple are masters of spin and when we see the presentation of what it can do I imagine that many people will want one - just not knowing why they do
With this product im always reminded of the fuss made a few years ago when Apple were supposedly making a TV. Of course in the end they released a far more sensible set top box - but back then there were renders of what this TV looked like, with constantly rolling estimates as to when it would be announced and go on sale... we were convinced it WAS a real thing and it WAS coming.... but of course never did... So the VR headset could well be the same.
To me, if this exists it will go one of a number of ways... but let's wait and see it its real and what it can do and how much it costs. I still believe however that it will never have mass market appeal and im sure Apple know this.
Of course it could be so costly, and sell so few units, that Apple drop it as quickly as the iPod Hifi.
As many have noted.. we still dont know what it looks like, whether it exists or not, and what it will do and how much it will cost.
Although rumour sites have been talking about it for years with made-up renders as if its some insider info... nothing is real or confirmed until Apple decide to tell us about it.
I suspect that IF this is a real device... and IF its far north of £1,000 - ie more than a MacBook its appeal will be seriously limited especially a version 1.0 product.
That said Apple are masters of spin and when we see the presentation of what it can do I imagine that many people will want one - just not knowing why they do
With this product im always reminded of the fuss made a few years ago when Apple were supposedly making a TV. Of course in the end they released a far more sensible set top box - but back then there were renders of what this TV looked like, with constantly rolling estimates as to when it would be announced and go on sale... we were convinced it WAS a real thing and it WAS coming.... but of course never did... So the VR headset could well be the same.
To me, if this exists it will go one of a number of ways... but let's wait and see it its real and what it can do and how much it costs. I still believe however that it will never have mass market appeal and im sure Apple know this.
Of course it could be so costly, and sell so few units, that Apple drop it as quickly as the iPod Hifi.
@mazz0 what do you disagree with??This piece of vapourware is fascinating.
As many have noted.. we still dont know what it looks like, whether it exists or not, and what it will do and how much it will cost.
Although rumour sites have been talking about it for years with made-up renders as if its some insider info... nothing is real or confirmed until Apple decide to tell us about it.
I suspect that IF this is a real device... and IF its far north of £1,000 - ie more than a MacBook its appeal will be seriously limited especially a version 1.0 product.
That said Apple are masters of spin and when we see the presentation of what it can do I imagine that many people will want one - just not knowing why they do
With this product im always reminded of the fuss made a few years ago when Apple were supposedly making a TV. Of course in the end they released a far more sensible set top box - but back then there were renders of what this TV looked like, with constantly rolling estimates as to when it would be announced and go on sale... we were convinced it WAS a real thing and it WAS coming.... but of course never did... So the VR headset could well be the same.
To me, if this exists it will go one of a number of ways... but let's wait and see it its real and what it can do and how much it costs. I still believe however that it will never have mass market appeal and im sure Apple know this.
Of course it could be so costly, and sell so few units, that Apple drop it as quickly as the iPod Hifi.
You think it's going to be cheaper maybe? Theres nothing I said there thats disagreeable
What if Apple wanted to kill the Mac?
We are talking here about a budget of more than 3000$ and intended for professionals. When we read the technical specificities of the beast, we see an oversized object compared to the current market! 4K microled screens, an overpowered processor (more powerful than current Macs), 14 video lenses, retinal recognition, etc.
It turns out to be surprising that Apple is launching a project of this kind in a field which today is struggling to open up massively and, moreover, at such a high price...
The precise rumors that Apple is rather targeting professionals. But now, the main VR market today is in the private sector. It may seem absurd or even insane even if a micro market remains...
Unless…
(and this I specify is only a personal point of view, a hypothesis, on which I have a great chance of being wrong).
Unless Apple suggested we replace the Mac… no more screen constraint, no more keyboard or mouse constraint, or location… the computer might appear to be suspended above the table in his office, the keyboard might appear virtually as well as all the necessary tools around you. This idea seems to me to be something that is in the DNA of the brand.
We will know more on June 5th.
We are talking here about a budget of more than 3000$ and intended for professionals. When we read the technical specificities of the beast, we see an oversized object compared to the current market! 4K microled screens, an overpowered processor (more powerful than current Macs), 14 video lenses, retinal recognition, etc.
It turns out to be surprising that Apple is launching a project of this kind in a field which today is struggling to open up massively and, moreover, at such a high price...
The precise rumors that Apple is rather targeting professionals. But now, the main VR market today is in the private sector. It may seem absurd or even insane even if a micro market remains...
Unless…
(and this I specify is only a personal point of view, a hypothesis, on which I have a great chance of being wrong).
Unless Apple suggested we replace the Mac… no more screen constraint, no more keyboard or mouse constraint, or location… the computer might appear to be suspended above the table in his office, the keyboard might appear virtually as well as all the necessary tools around you. This idea seems to me to be something that is in the DNA of the brand.
We will know more on June 5th.
Its portability could make it worth more than another external display for your Mac that Apple currently sells for double that price.
I tend to think of it more like the iPad. For some people the iPad has become a replacement for their laptop computer, for others it is a supplementary device. I think for some professionals AR is a very valuable addition to their arsenal and well worth the money.
For the mainstream consumers we will have to wait and see. If Apple have made the device a fully-fledged computing platform (which their approach does suggest) and have given it an immersive environment, then it could replace the Mac for some people.
Does it have a cellular connection? Does it do Bluetooth (and can you connect a keyboard)?
HobeSoundDarryl
macrumors G5
And many of “us” just paid upwards of $2K for a rigidly finite desktop that is usable in a single spot it is placed for likely the life of the device. Not only were we quick to lay out $2K for it, but we then evangelized it to everyone else as if it is the one and only choice for anyone wanting any display.
If this thing can bring that infinite desktop- basically making a laptop or mobile device have any size screen that looks as real as sitting in front of any size physical screen- that’s enough for me, even at $3K. Only $1K more for an any size screen(s) anywhere I happen to be? Sign me up for just this one, “simple” goggles application done well.
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this, to me, is the key to its success.
On the face of it, a VR headset in the same vein as those weve seen over and over again wont be of much interest to many people.
However, its that extra little feature or function, especially taking advantage of iCloud and Apple's cross-device working that will be the key.
Your example of it becoming a wireless virtual monitor to use with a Mac would be a boon for many - especially if the virtual screen is significantly large AND of comparable resolution and quality to the studio display. Im not saying thats possible, but if it was I can see some buying it just for that purpose.
That said, im sure that it wouldnt suit a lot of people to sit at their desk with this headset on rather than looking at a physical monitor.
Google Glass was my favorite piece of tech ever, especially for what it was at the time. It is too bad it got a bad wrap because of the creepy weirdos out there. Having a heads up display with voice controls was amazing. Also, they were very comfortable, I could wear them all day without issue. Most people will never understand how awesome it was since very few people got to experience it. I still don't know how they pulled it off, but the prism honestly disappeared from view unless you were looking right at it. It was ahead of its time for sure. I would love to see something like this, only with 2023 tech.
HobeSoundDarryl
macrumors G5
I don't see it as a "sitting at their desk with a headset on" scenario... I see it as a new kind of laptop/mobile computing screen- pull it out and use it when you need it, put it away when you don't. For all the situations where one is anchored to a single spot every day- like at a desk job- I suspect the traditional monitor is used on that desk. However, for those situations where one is mobile- the "road warriors" on a plane/train/etc or in the hotel, etc where a relatively "tiny" laptop screen might be the ONLY current option, I foresee this OPTION subbing in for those who might rather have that 17" MB if they could... or 18" or 20" or 24" or 30" or 50" or 100".
Too many people seem to have this vision that these are permanently strapped on everyone's faces, as if we are about to become Star Trek Borg... and look the part too. I don't foresee that at all. Instead, I see these "in the bag" and pulled out like we pull out our laptops or other mobile devices... then put away exactly as we do with our laptops or mobile devices too. Use 'em when we need a HUGE and/or private screen, put 'em away when done and fully return to a real world view.
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It’s pretty crazy that even this close to the alleged announcement of this product, we still have no concrete evidence it even exists. And it’s been years. Just lots of speculation.
Google Glass could translate signs in real time just by the user looking at them. For example, it could translate street signs in German and show them in English. This is an example of AR.
Kids will have this thing strapped to their faces for most of their day, every day. They already escape reality anyway they can, for as long as they can. Wait for it...
HobeSoundDarryl
macrumors G5
Yes, some people will do that for all kinds of reasons. Apple could make uniforms or revive propeller beanies and some kids- and adults- would then only clothe themselves in Apple uniforms and/or roam around in "cool" propeller beanies too.
And there are certainly AR applications where having them on in ways beyond how we currently use laptops come into play too... much like heads up displays for maps, etc. For me personally, I desire that one big use- any-size laptop screen replacement- so I envision using them like I use laptops now. But I can imagine plenty of scenarios where they are on people's heads in public places- just as one might see someone in bike helmets, ski goggles, sunglasses, etc in public places now. If we can get used to people roaming around seemingly talking to themselves (buds), we can probably handle some people roaming around in a more elaborate type of sunglasses or a minimal bike helmet too.
If we are worried about kids being lost to VR permanently, we can be good parents and NOT buy this for them. If $3K or $2K or $4K, there probably would not be many of today's kids able to buy them for themselves. So that problem can be proactively resolved by some combination of parenting and a high price.
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Yes, using this as a laptop replacement would be great.
yes, this scenario is also a possibility.
The fact remains that its still a paradigm that seems impractical - of course people can and will adapt to something new and thats not to say there arent better ways of doing something.
However, I would suggest that 'pulling it out' might be more of a faff than using a laptop in that you'll still need the means to interact with it such as a keyboard and mouse (and not look really rather silly poking and prodding the air in front of you at some virtual effort!)..
Also the way in which it will to a degree shut you off from your surroundings. Yes im sure theres going to be a AR style environment where you can still see things around you but im thinking in terms of safety etc people approaching you to steal a wallet etc its much easier for them when you are immersed in a device like this.
Still, we shall see soon enough.
I must admit I'll find it quite funny if this does turn out to be the Apple TV set and never see the light of day. Of course all told theres something big next week as many things have been announced in press releases recently that could easily have taken a slot at the WWDC presentation.
HobeSoundDarryl
macrumors G5
In my head, this "new laptop" is in 2 pieces: goggles and some variation of the bottom half of a MB. The latter is in use now. People are acquiring MBs with broken lids, removing the lids and then using the computer+keyboard+trackpad half much like the good old Commodore 64 or Amiga 500...
Given that this "half" of the laptop already exists and works with existing monitors, how about Apple rolling out a perhaps more compact version for use with Goggles as VR/AR laptop? Or, if the "whole computer" is built into the Goggles, perhaps a simple, smallish bluetooth keyboard covers the keyboard part of this (bluetooth keyboard + mouse/trackpad + goggles).
As to the security concern, there are already demos of this WITH Apple UIs online. Here's a cheap version of "off the shelf" VR goggles that ALREADY works with existing Apple tech, and it shows how one can fully seal themselves off OR leave it in transparent mode so they can see the full world around them WHILE actively using their virtual screens...
The virtual screen can offer the ability to look through so one could see the bandits sneaking up even BEHIND a physical laptop lid. Furthermore, if Apples Goggle cameras are "all around" as rumored, they MIGHT "improve" the security scenario in that one would even have the ability to see a bandit sneaking up behind them too.
But frankly- whether current laptop or this hypothetical one- why would someone be using a laptop in a situation where the bandits could easily get at them? I'm somewhat road warrior. When I'm in environments that look risky, the MB/iPad/iPhone stay in the bag. On the other hand, when I'm in situations where tech theft is unlikely- on the plane, in the hotel, in a clients guest office, etc- I compute freely. I'd use this the same way.
Have you seen these virtual screens used in person, with a physical keyboard and mouse? If so, what device were these screens being used on and was the usability the same as it would be on a MacBook Pro, for example?