In perhaps one of the worst-kept-secrets since the Apple Car; 2023 looks set to be the year that Apple unveils its long-awaited AR/VR headset. Although some previous reports had the company down to launch the product as soon as January, recent developments mean that the headset is now more likely for a WWDC 2023 release. Many expect Apple’s 2023 to be defined by the new headset, marking the start of a new journey for the company as it looks to tap into new markets and create the ‘next big thing’ following the iPhone and Apple Watch.
This new product category not only means yet another range for Apple, but it could change the way we see the world around us. We’ve seen brands like Facebook try and fail to make AR/VR a success, with the Meta Quest 2 pushing the boundaries in some edge cases, but it will be Apple’s unique position and its ability to seamlessly combine hardware and software that will make it a key player in the space.
There are so many existing technologies and IPs that we expect to see integrated into the system, including Memoji, SharePlay, FaceTime, Apple Arcade, Apple Fitness+, and more. With ARKit and a new operating system that’s rumored to be called xrOS, Apple will open up augmented and virtual reality to us consumers and businesses, and app developers who can bring their unique visions to life.
Earlier in 2022, a Bloomberg report unearthed possible trademarks linked to Apple’s VR/AR headset, including Reality One, Reality Pro, and Reality Processor. While that doesn’t mean that Apple will use these names, it does fuel speculation that there could be more than one headset. It’s believed that Apple’s AR/VR mixed reality headset will be a precursor to Apple Glass, offering an “optical see-through AR experience,” according to Ming-Chi Kuo. Apple Glass, on the other hand, which is designed to look and act like an ordinary lightweight pair of glasses, will follow in the coming years.
Consider the new Apple VR and mixed reality headset to act like a typical VR headset, but one with several exterior cameras and sensors that unlock bonus functionality and, of course, Apple’s industry-leading software. As for pricing, a report from The Information claims that Apple’s VR headset will be as high as $3,000. VR headsets already on the market come in at around $1,000, though the Microsoft Hololens 2 costs a whopping $3,500, so it remains to be seen whether this is correct.
Are you looking forward to getting your hands on the AR/VR headset? Let us know and check back soon for more.