William Gallagher
Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo says Apple is not "optimistic" about launching its AR/VR headset and has pushed back mass production, meaning it may not get an announcement at WWDC.
Apple has long been expected to launch its forthcoming mixed-reality headset at its WWDC keynote, which is now slated for June 5. However, a detailed new tweet from Ming-Chi Kuo casts doubt on when it will be launched.
Because Apple isn't very optimistic about the AR/MR headset announcement recreating the astounding "iPhone moment," the mass production schedule for assembly has been pushed back by another 1-2 months to mid-to-late 3Q23. The delay also adds uncertainty to whether the new device
— (Ming-Chi Kuo) (@mingchikuo) March 30, 2023
The main concerns for Apple not being very optimistic regarding the market feedback to the AR/MR headset announcement," continues Kuo, "include the economic downturn, compromises on some hardware specifications for mass production (such as weight), the readiness of the ecosystem and applications, a high selling price (USD 3,000-4,000 or even higher), etc."
Whether or not the headset gets unveiled at WWDC in June, Kuo says that "due to the delay in mass production for assembly, the shipment forecast this year is only 200,000 to 300,000 units, lower than the market consensus of 500,000 units or more."
It's expected that Apple's first headset will be reminiscent of skiing goggles, in overall shape and perhaps size. There are believed to be 4K OLED displays in front of each eye, and an exterior screen showing the facial expressions of the user.
Also outside the headset will be over a dozen cameras and sensors, which will capture body movement and, again, facial expressions. Apple is expected to include at least one camera within the headset, which will focus on the wearer's eye movement and so detect when battery-saving steps can be taken without interrupting the user's attention.
Recently, it was reported that Apple had decided to launch the headset in 2023 against the advice of the company's industrial design team. Despite "huge pressure to ship," that team reportedly wanted to wait until it was possible to make a lightweight, Apple Glass-style headset.
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"It's expected that Apple's first headset will be reminiscent of skiing goggles, in overall shape and perhaps size." - if it is expected to look that way, it's only because every single rumor article over the last 2 years - whether it's about an upcoming AR or VR headset - has an accompanying render of such skiing goggles. A render that wasn't even a leak from anywhere - just someone's imagination.
The rumors for this product are all over the road. The same management team that has applied "huge pressure to ship" is now thinking a 1-2 month delay is going to help in some vague blah blah economic downturn blah way? And it should be obvious that standard glasses would only be capable of AR and not VR. VR requires a closed headset so it's not remotely believable that the design team would want to wait to make glasses for VR. Or has the tech press been completely wrong to use the term "VR" over and over while referring to this product? Maybe Apple has never intended to do VR at all?
Maybe Apple will throw in a free Apple Sea Hunt VR headset with every Apple Car purchase? It will undoubtedly be rechargeable via the integrated Air Power charging pad inside my Apple Car that looks like a Teletubbies transporter, equipped with a full dashboard version of Apple CarPlay.
It will all be controllable via the new Siri Chat AI that actually drives the car for me while my legless avatar blissfully wanders and swims around in the virtual Habitrail created by the VR mask, free from the worries of traffic delays and road rage happening outside of my own little cyber cocoon. The Apple Feeding Tube Pro and liquid sustenance tank, refillable at supporting drive thru restaurants with an Apple Two subscription, is optional.
“Hey Siri, let’s swing through McDonald’s for a quarter pounder with cheese with French fries and strawberry shake smoothy.” Yum. Super size it! Can’t wait to stretch my Apple Card limit to see this beautiful vision become my new augmented/altered reality.
I’d rather see Apple release a practical application like the Apple Car compared to a VR Headset.