The launch of Apple’s first virtual and augmented reality headset may be closer than expected. If back in February, insiders said that it would appear on the market no earlier than 2023, now analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claims that it will debut in mid-2022. Not only will Apple’s AR / VR headset come out earlier, but it will also be cheaper than previously thought.
In his new report to investors, the analyst said that Apple’s entry into the augmented and virtual reality market will occur in stages. In the first phase, Apple will release a headset. The company is currently testing several prototypes of the headset, which weigh around 200-300 g, but Apple wants to reduce the weight of the accessory to 100-200 g, making it significantly lighter than current VR devices. For example, the Oculus Quest 2 headset weighs 503g, while the Vive Cosmos Elite weighs about 650g.
It is reported that the first Apple headset will receive micro OLED displays and several optical modules manufactured by Sony. The displays will support two modes: transparency mode (for augmented reality) and opaque mode (for virtual reality). The accessory will receive its own processor and battery and will support Apple branded services such as TV + and Arcade.
As for the cost of the first Apple headset, it will be at the level of the iPhone Pro, that is, around $ 1,000. Interestingly, earlier insiders, speaking of the price, claimed that it would be at least $ 3,000.
AR / VR headset is the first stage, and the second will be augmented reality glasses. They are slated to launch in 2025, but Apple doesn’t even have a working prototype yet. However, the analyst claims that, as with the headset, it will be a standalone product with its own battery and chips. Among the currently known features of Apple’s AR glasses is integration with the company’s future electric vehicle, the so-called Apple Car.
In the third phase, Apple plans to release contact lenses with augmented reality technology. This is a device straight out of science fiction that will usher in an era of “invisible technology.” True, smart contact lenses will appear in 10 years, and then the analyst does not exclude that Apple may change plans in relation to them and completely cancel their launch.
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