Apple's mixed-reality headset has reached 'advanced' stage of development

Apple recently showed its upcoming mixed-reality headset to members of its board of directors, suggesting that the device is nearing completion and could be ready for a launch soon.

The iPhone maker demonstrated the AR/VR head-worn wearable to its eight board members earlier in May, Bloomberg reported Thursday. That alone is a sign that the device, which has long been in the rumor mill for years, has reached an advanced stage of development.

In addition to work on the actual device, Apple has also reportedly ramped up development of the headset's operating system, which could be dubbed "RealityOS."

The Apple VR headset is expected to be a premium device that's lighter and more comfortable to wear than competing visors. It'll feature a pair of 4K OLED displays, 15 different camera modules, and powerful silicon more akin to Apple's M1 than its A series of chips.

Additionally, it's expected to have advanced functionality such as eye tracking and support for detecting hand gestures. The headset won't come cheap, with one expected price of around $3,000.

The device could be followed by a much smaller and more augmented reality-focused "Apple Glass" model, though rumors of that device have died off in the last couple of years. The $3,000 MR headset is said to be more focused on gaming and VR experiences.

Development of the headset has not been easy for Apple, however. A report from Tuesday indicated that the company repeatedly hit technical and staffing snags. But since it first showed off prototypes of the device to board members in 2016, it appears that the headset has finally reached an advanced stage of development.

According to Bloomberg, the device could see an announcement as early as the end of 2022. However, it likely won't be ready for a full consumer launch until 2023.

23 Comments

tjwolf 423 comments · 12 Years

About 2 years ago

If Apple indeed decides to sell the described device, it'll be a big flop. Not so much because it won't be able to sell at all, but because it won't sell at the scale Apple needs. Think about it: the described device will have powerful processing capabilities *on the headset* - well, that'll require a big battery. The described device will also support VR/MR - again, more battery to drive high resolution displays. While the device might also be capable of AR, who would want to wear big/ugly goggles for an extended period of time? The only market for such goggles are gamers and geeks who don't mind looking foolish in public.

I always thought Apple's smartest approach would be to keep all energy-intensive tasks on the iPhone, which already has plenty of battery and CPU power and let the AR glasses merely act as a display and sensor-data gathering device. This would allow for "normal" looking glasses that folks are already accustomed to wearing all day. And THAT market would be worth Apple's while.

mobird 758 comments · 20 Years

About 2 years ago

I don't think I would call it a "big flop". More akin to the original HomePods disappointing adoption. But, they have to start somewhere...
I look forward to seeing Meta's reactions and then one of them mumbling something to the tune of "we better start over".

tjwolf said:

If Apple indeed decides to sell the described device, it'll be a big flop. Not so much because it won't be able to sell at all, but because it won't sell at the scale Apple needs. Think about it: the described device will have powerful processing capabilities *on the headset* - well, that'll require a big battery. The described device will also support VR/MR - again, more battery to drive high resolution displays. While the device might also be capable of AR, who would want to wear big/ugly goggles for an extended period of time? The only market for such goggles are gamers and geeks who don't mind looking foolish in public.

I always thought Apple's smartest approach would be to keep all energy-intensive tasks on the iPhone, which already has plenty of battery and CPU power and let the AR glasses merely act as a display and sensor-data gathering device. This would allow for "normal" looking glasses that folks are already accustomed to wearing all day. And THAT market would be worth Apple's while.

ravnorodom 720 comments · 8 Years

About 2 years ago

Interesting to see what Apple can come out with. I am pretty sure it won't be like the current bulky AR goggle. Apple has the know-how on flat technology. I hope it knocks the socks off Facebook Oculus. Also the existing of App Store will help push contents into the AR.

jumpingcoco 104 comments · 7 Years

About 2 years ago

don't sell a $3,000 device unless it's really, really, really revolutionary and fun. Apple must know this, sources are not accurate

blastdoor 3565 comments · 15 Years

About 2 years ago

Depending on specs, $3k wouldn't be so bad compared to this:

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/hololens/buy

Microsoft is clearly aiming this at business and developers, not consumers. Apple doesn't usually introduce new products aimed at the top of the 'pro' segment, but maybe this will be different. I think Apple once had a marketing campaign involving the word 'different' ...