Augmented reality is increasing in popularity quarter-on-quarter, and Apple discusses the concept at any given opportunity. While AR was first introduced in 1992, it has been thrust into the furor over the last couple years.
Of course, this can be directly linked to advances in technology. However, thus far, Apple’s relationship with AR has only really materialized to consumers as AR apps on iOS devices.
Apple is said to be developing an AR glasses/headset product and we should see this in mass production in the second quarter of 2020 at the latest. Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple analyst, predicts that Apple’s first generation of AR glasses will be heavily dependent on the iPhone.
To begin, the glasses will essentially act as a display only with the actual computing, internet connectivity, location services, and rendering relying on the iPhone. The pairing of the devices is likely to work wirelessly, in the same way as the Apple Watch, though this has not yet been confirmed.
According to Holdens, an augmented reality studio in Manchester, making the AR technology dependent on the iPhone allows Apple to produce a headset that is light, compact, and comfortable to wear. If all of the technology were packed into the one unit, this would not be the case, as seen with the Oculus Go. However, concerns about AR’s effect on the battery life of the iPhone are understandable.
Much work remains to be done with the glasses – Apple still needs to design the display and the companion depth sensors.
However, the tech giant remains hopeful for the reception of AR and expects the 2020 public product launch to be met with great anticipation.
