Apple AR headset in final sprint for assembly before WWDC

Apple's supply chain is rumored to be in the final mass production preparatory stages of the long-rumored Apple AR headset, with a "final push" underway to finalize techniques and assembly procedures.

A supply chain report claims that Foxconn subsidiary GIS has a production line fired up for the lens assembly for the headset. The lenses are then, in turn, provided to a company called Lixun for assembly.

Wednesday's report from the Economic Daily News also claims that volume production will start later in the second quarter, which began on April 1, and will proceed into the third quarter.

If the report is accurate, it's not clear that it means that the headsets will ship in significant volume in the wake of WWDC. Instead, early production may be for developer kits, as Apple did for the PowerPC shift to Intel, and then again from Intel to Apple Silicon.

Apple has been rumored for some time to debut — but not necessarily ship — the headset during the 2023 WWDC. At the same time, Apple is said to launch a software development kit and a Mac-based headset simulator at the event to help developers create new apps and services for xrOS, the supposed name for the headset's operating system.

A big focus on gaming is expected, complete with "top-tier titles" from third parties. And, to help with Mac-based productivity, the headset is rumored to be usable as an external monitor for a connected Mac.

The headset will also apparently be able to run "hundreds of thousands" of current third-party iPad apps available from the App Store. A rumor claims that developers may need to make "minimal modifications" for compatibility, but many may need "no extra work" to run.

The first-generation unit may cost as much as $3000. Apple is said to have up to three models in various stages of development.

7 Comments

fastasleep 6451 comments · 14 Years

About 1 year ago

A big focus on gaming is expected, complete with "top-tier titles" from third parties.
This is perhaps the biggest surprise to me, if true. Curious to see who/what they got on board and if they are indeed "top-tier".

And, to help with Mac-based productivity, the headset is rumored to be usable as an external monitor for a connected Mac.
I wonder if this will offer full wired VR support on Mac, if so that'd up the value of these quite a bit.

beowulfschmidt 2361 comments · 12 Years

AppleInsider said:

A big focus on gaming is expected, complete with "top-tier titles" from third parties. And, to help with Mac-based productivity, the headset is rumored to be usable as an external monitor for a connected Mac.

The first-generation unit may cost as much as $3000. Apple is said to have up to three models in various stages of development.

That first part is good to hear, from my standpoint anyway. But I'm gonna have to see the price to say more.

My Valve Index is about the maximum price I'm willing to pay for such a thing, and that came complete with everything (except the PC) that I need to play. If the Apple product is in that neighborhood (minus the Mac that will no doubt be required), and the games are as good as Half-Life: Alex, Skyrim VR, Elite Dangerous, Beat Saber, STAR WARS: Squadrons, and the like, then it'll be worth a look. However, given that I already have all those games, along with a high end PC and an excellent head set, it's gonna have to be really good to make me switch.

MacPro 19845 comments · 18 Years

fastasleep said:

A big focus on gaming is expected, complete with "top-tier titles" from third parties.
This is perhaps the biggest surprise to me, if true. Curious to see who/what they got on board and if they are indeed "top-tier".

And, to help with Mac-based productivity, the headset is rumored to be usable as an external monitor for a connected Mac.
I wonder if this will offer full wired VR support on Mac, if so that'd up the value of these quite a bit.

I'm a 100% Apple guy since 1977, but I use a very high-end PC for games. IMHO, unless it is RDR2, GTA V, Horizon Zero Dawn, Assassin's Creed, and so on are on board, this is marketing smoke. Not to mention MSFS 2020 is never going to be on macOS, sadly.

mattinoz 2488 comments · 9 Years

Would like to see x-Plane on stage with MR headset, physical controls but no additional screens other than maybe an iPad mini knee board.

blurpbleepbloop 202 comments · 18 Years

fastasleep said:

A big focus on gaming is expected, complete with "top-tier titles" from third parties.
This is perhaps the biggest surprise to me, if true. Curious to see who/what they got on board and if they are indeed "top-tier".Definitely! Rumor has it that the visor will support Monument, Sneaky Sasquatch and, in a big team up with Microsoft, we will see Minesweeper. /s