According to a new report, Apple is currently developing at least three AR/VR headsets with the first one set to launch next year.
Apple currently working on three mixed-reality headsets
In the latest edition of his “Power On” newsletter for Bloomberg, Mark Gurman revealed that Apple will release its first headset in 2023. A lighter-weight AR-only version will follow in the coming years.
Adding onto this, the journalist commented on the recent trademark filings allegedly filed by the Cupertino tech giant for “Reality Processor,” “Reality Pro,” and “Reality One.”
In January, I had heard that Apple was discussing calling the headset either Apple Reality or Apple Vision. It now appears that the company has landed on some version of Apple Reality as the name. […]
For the first version, using “Apple Reality Pro” makes the most sense to me, given that it will be a high-end headset. “Apple Reality One” would make sense as a future lower-end model, but could be an option for the initial device too. The trademarks also include “Reality Processor,” a reasonable name for the onboard co-processor that will handle the headset’s high-intensity AR and VR graphics alongside the M2 chip.
Interestingly, Gurman revealed that the tech giant filed for an additional trademark called “Optica,” under the same shell company it used for the “Reality” names. Gurman speculates this could have something to do with the device’s “interchangeable optics system for users who need a glasses prescription.” Alternatively, he says it could also be a name for the long-rumored Apple Glasses.
As previously reported, Apple’s mixed-reality headset is expected to feature two M1-like chips. Now that the M2 chips have been released, they could be used to power the headset.
In addition, the headset will feature three displays that use LG’s OLEDoS technology with 3,000 PPI and Fresnel’s hybrid ultra-short focal length lenses. The headset will offer hand gesture detection, eye tracking, iris recognition, voice control, skin detection, facial expression detection, and spatial detection for input.
Apple is creating the product for short periods of use. In terms of price, it is expected to cost several thousand dollars since the first-generation device will be higher-end, aimed at professionals and developers to expand Apple’s ecosystem in AR/VR.
In addition to this, Gurman also revealed some tidbits about the upcoming iPhone 14 lineup’s battery and eSIM functionality, next-generation AirPods Pro, and the Apple Watch Pro in his newsletter.
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