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It’s been rumored for years that Apple is working on a headset that combines augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) – also known as mixed reality (MR) – and the latest prediction we have about the device is that it will launch later this year. coming .
Seasoned industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who usually knows what he’s talking about when it comes to Apple, has tweeted (opens in new tab) (through 9to5Mac (opens in new tab)) that the AR/VR headset is behind schedule due to certain hardware tests and the availability of software development tools.
That means, Kuo says, the shipping window could shift from the second quarter of 2023 to the third quarter: July, August or September. Previous leaks, including one from Kuo, had hinted that the device would arrive in the first half of this year.
Time is everything
However, there is still a chance that Apple will announce the device in advance, long before it actually goes on sale. Kuo says that “based on the current development process” it could get a big reveal at an event around March, or at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference held every June.
Getting app developers on board with the new hardware is going to be crucial – there won’t be too many buyers for an expensive AR/VR headset if there’s nothing remarkable it can really be used for.
From previous leaks, it seems like Apple could be calling the operating system on the new device realityOS, though that’s certainly not certain. After so many years of rumor and speculation, it will be fascinating to see what Apple has actually put together when the headset finally gets its big reveal.
Analysis: A big step for Apple
It can be easy to take for granted the massive manufacturing operation that Apple runs: it produces millions of iPhones, iPads, Macs, and other hardware every month and (generally) manages to do it all without serious problems.
When it comes to entering a different product category, such as an AR/VR headset (or a car), that comes with a bit more of a challenge. Parts and processes are new, and that’s before we get to the question of whether anyone is actually going to buy it.
The Apple Watch was the last time Apple unveiled something completely new, rather than an update to an existing product. After a somewhat bumpy start, consumers eventually embraced the wearable, and it’s now a permanent fixture in Apple’s hardware lineup.
As with the smartwatch, the AR/VR headset will be a shot in the dark for Apple. It’s not a gadget category with tons of existing devices on display, which gives Apple more of a chance to set the standard for our mixed reality future.