Apple mixed reality headset

Apple will devote the majority of 2023 to a brand-new device, a mixed-reality headset that has been in development or, one must say, in the news for several years.

According to rumors, the new device could resemble a pair of ski goggles. It will have multiple cameras so the device can track your movements in real-time and see what’s happening around you.

However, Apple’s upcoming product appears to provide a mixed-reality experience. Both augmented and virtual reality will be available to users. Details about potential use cases and apps for the headset are still scarce, as software leaks are easier to control than product leaks.

The Apple VR/AR mixed reality headset is one of those products that is constantly rumored but never appears. The device hasn’t been officially announced, but the company has big plans for augmented reality. The next step in that journey is the VR/AR headset.

Apple mixed reality headset release speculations

Analysts who claim to know about Apple’s mixed reality headset have revised their

Analysts believe the ongoing delays result from production issues, which have caused delays in both the announcement and retail launch. However, it appears that those delays have been resolved as rumors swirl around a springtime reveal. This possibility is bolstered by rumors of an Apple March event that could also serve as a reveal event for the Apple VR/AR headset.

Apple mixed reality headset price rumors

The price of Apple’s VR/AR mixed reality headset has been reported to be variable. However, rumors indicate a developer focus, so pricing may be centered on attracting programmers.

Tim Cook has spoken extensively about how AR is Apple’s ultimate goal. According to reports, the headset is the first step in the company’s wearable AR ambitions. The headset’s primary goal is reportedly to prepare developers for the release of Apple Glass and to ensure that the specs have app support for the launch. Apple’s primary motivation is not to make money; reports indicate that the headset’s price will reflect this.

Some analysts claim the final price will be between $2,000 and $2,500. Rumors also appear to confirm the rumored Spring 2023 launch date.

Whatever the launch scenario is, the cost of entry will be high and certainly much higher than that of other standalone VR headsets. In comparison, the Oculus Quest 2 retails for $300.

Apple mixed reality headset display rumors

According to reports and speculations, the VR/AR headset will feature 12 tracking cameras that will feed information to two 8K displays in front of the user’s eyes. In addition, the headset will reportedly include LiDAR sensors. It is important to note that the DSCC did mention in its comments that LiDAR was still a possibility.

A foveated display refers to the fovea, located at the back of the eye, along the retina. The fovea aids in the sharpening of central vision. Eye tracking could be used in a foveated VR headset to help focus an image on what the user is looking at while lowering resolution around the periphery.

According to recent reports, the Apple headset will use OLED panels, which use silicon to create incredible resolutions. Sony, Samsung, and LG are all developing OLED panels, with Sony and LG rumored to supply displays for the first generation of the Apple VR/AR headset and Samsung and LG rumored to supply displays for the second generation.

Apple mixed reality headset features

According to rumors and speculations, the Apple VR/AR headset will not rely solely on sensors like its predecessors and some of the currently available mixed reality headsets. According to sources, users will be able to wear a “thimble-like” device on their finger to aid in hand tracking and other controls.

A lot of power will be required to keep all of this running, and some report claims that the headset will include Apple’s most advanced and powerful chips, which can be M1 or M2. According to reports, the chip inside Apple’s VR headset will be more powerful than the recently released M1 chip for Macbooks.

The patent also mentions the ability to detect objects the user holds, such as an Apple Pencil. The headset will detect what you intend to do and adjust its functionality accordingly. So if you hold an Apple Pencil, it will recognize that you want to handwrite something rather than type it.