The push for AR and VR devices continues with more information coming out about recent innovations that are coming soon from Apple.
According to multiple reports, including one from Bloomberg and another from MacWorld, Apple is working on a mixed reality headset that will be able to switch between AR and VR.
Fast Facts about Apple Reality Pro
– VR Headset from Apple is coming in 2023 and will likely be called ‘Reality Pro’.
– Will cost roughly $3000 USD.
– Is said to create a 3D version of the iOS operating system with advanced eye and hand tracking features.
– Term “xrOS” has been found in application code and has been trademarked by shell companies.
Reality Pro: How Apple’s Upcoming Mixed-Reality Headset Will Work.
Mark Gurman has just leaked the following information regarding Apple's upcoming mixed-reality headset:https://t.co/QMtmXrxXP6 (behind a paywall)
(opening thread) pic.twitter.com/fS6whwKZOL
— Cæsar (@cesarberardini) January 23, 2023
Apple’s Reality Pro:
– Available later this year for ~$3,000
– Digital Crown to switch between VR/AR
– Can serve as external displays for Macs
– VR Facetime
– Users will be able to type in midair with hands
– Immersive videoCould be a category-defining moment.
— Roberto Nickson (@rpnickson) January 23, 2023
Apple’s Reality Pro AR/VR headset will feature eye and hand tracking functionality 👀👋‼️
There won’t be a dedicated controller like rival products… pic.twitter.com/KPALUOjVno
— AppleTrack (@appltrack) January 23, 2023
Apple’s Virtual Reality Push
Apple has been working on augmented reality and virtual reality products for some time. According to Bloomberg, the company ‘has spent more than seven years on the project’.
The market for AR/VR as a whole has been very challenging with Meta and other players struggling to get lots of customers to buy in to their devices. Apple hopes to change that by bringing a new device to consumers that can do more. Mark Gurman of Bloomberg writers ‘The eye- and hand-tracking capabilities will be a major selling point for the device, according to people familiar with the product, which is expected to cost roughly twice the price of rival devices. Its core features will include advanced FaceTime-based videoconferencing and meeting rooms. The headset also will be able to show immersive video content, serve as an external display for a connected Mac, and replicate many functions of iPhones and iPads.’
With all of these features, Apple is looking to further hook users into their ecosystem of devices and networks, with attractive functions like FaceTime and immersive video being major selling points.
Device Specs
Gurman shares that the device will have ‘two ultra-high-resolution displays — developed with Sony Group Corp. — to handle the VR and a collection of external cameras to enable an AR “pass-through mode.” That means users will see the real world through the cameras positioned on the headset. Apple will offer users with prescription glasses custom lenses that sit within the enclosure itself.’
Read more in Bloomberg’s article.
5 ways Apple ‘Reality Pro’ VR headset will beat Meta’s https://t.co/SAYmFaUGJN by @edfromfreelance
— Cult of Mac (@cultofmac) January 23, 2023
More details of Apple's reality pro headset from @markgurman .
Similar to Quest Pro, but with a wire to a battery pack in the user's wrist & $3000.
The wire looks bad, but I like this design (I've tweeted about it before), it should mean a lighter, cooler headset than Quest Pro https://t.co/XYRN8S7kkp— Diego Bez. (@Diegobez) January 23, 2023