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Apple Reality Pro VR Headset: What to Expect from the Much-Anticipated Launch in 2023
Will it be Reality OS or Reality Processor or xrOS or Reality One or Reality Pro? Does it actually matter – what’s in a name after all?
Speculations are rife that it’s going to be finally launched in 2023, with the consumer release expected in the second half of the year.
It has been shrouded in mystery, with partial leaks and juicy tidbits floating around.
Hopefully, the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), usually scheduled in June, will be the curtain raiser. But this has not stopped the aficionados from playing the guessing game, ranging from its name to its specifications, features, technology and whatnot.
No prizes for guessing what this is all about – Apple’s Reality Pro VR Headset!
Over the years, Apple has been testing the waters by integrating AR into its devices.
But it appears that the company has now finally decided to jump right in, heating up competition for Google, Meta and other tech companies.
Imagine having one device, just ONE device, that can identify the user through iris scanning and give you a complete see-through experience, a foveated display with incredible resolutions.
Virtual keyboard to simply type in the air, detect and respond to every minute change in your body movements or the objects that you’re holding
And lets you scan objects in the real world and convert them into digital objects, transfer huge amounts of data without a physical cable, create your own apps without even knowing the basics of coding – all this in addition to hanging up calls, scrolling through multiple pages, gaming, communicating,
And whatnot! Implausible?
Think again.
Tim Cook’s vision to see Apple as the undisputed leader in the AR space, has fueled the creation of Apple Reality Pro VR Headset.
So, let’s join the bandwagon and see what to expect from Apple this time.
Apple Reality Pro VR Headset: What to Expect from its Design and Technology?
Image Source: https://mobilesyrup.com/2023/01/23/apple-rumoured-mixed-reality-headset-reality-pro-ios-like-features/
- The Apple headset is expected to look like a quintessential VR headset, probably with an ergonomic slick design to ensure user comfort. It will be a light and compact headset with 3P lenses in a pancake, folded design.
- An enclosed headset, supporting AR passthrough for a richer VR experience.
- There have been divergent views on the display feature. Some state that the headset will have LiDAR sensors (both short-range and long-range), along with two 8k displays (for realistic environments) and 12 tracking cameras, since Apple already uses LiDAR on its iPhone 12 Pro and Max, and its iPad Pro. However, Display Supply Chain Consultants (DSCC) believe that it will be a Sony powered 4k 4000 x 4000 display with a 1.4 inch diagonal and 3 displays inside the headset. The third lower resolution AMOLED display at the back will enable the foveated display. The foveated display promises a completely immersive mixed reality experience by dynamically improving the image quality of the object in focus and reducing the peripheral resolution.
- OLEDoS panels developed by Sony, LG and Samsung to ensure absolutely brilliant resolutions.
- A digital crown, similar to the Airpods Max, is expected to act like a toggle between the virtual and augmented reality modes.
- This thrilling, futuristic headset is expected to be powered by one of Apple’s most advanced chips, the M2 chip and a RAM of 16GB. It could have 2 processors – the higher end processor for advanced computing power and the lower end processor for supporting the sensors. Dual processors are necessary because the 6-8 optical modules of the AR headset have to run the see-through AR services continuously.
- WiFi 6E support for data transfer through the iPhone or Mac
- Iris scanning technology for authentication purposes
- Auto-adjusting lenses
- According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, it will be accompanied by a 96W MacBook charger and an external battery pack connected with a magnetic power cable, to support at least 2 hours of battery life.
Surprisingly, despite all these features and attachments, the product is not expected to be bulky.
On the contrary, reports suggest that it could be one of the lightest in its category.
Expect Immersive Technology Era with Apple Reality Pro VR Headset
Image Source: https://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/apple-reality-pro-headset-rumors-news-price-release-date/
- iOS-like interface
- Handle both, AR and VR applications
- Mark Gurman from Bloomberg opines that since the focus is on mixed reality, we can expect exciting functionalities thanks to its highly sensitive 3D sensors and external cameras that offer gesture control, hand and eye tracking and virtual keyboard features, probably through a wearable finger device
- Integrate real world into the virtual space
- See-through augmented reality experience
- Media, communication and gaming, obviously
- View Mac display in virtual reality while controlling with mouse/keyboard
- Content creation and viewing
- Meeting rooms and video conferencing through Face Time at fantastic levels of realism
- The headset with its powerful sensors will be capable of tracking every dynamic, even slight, movements of the user and respond accordingly
- Create apps
- Fitness focus if integrated with the Apple Watch or the Apple Fitness Plus
- Listen to music and see movies, individually or in a group, while in the VR mode
It is expected to have the ability to integrate and detect different wearables, like
- Apple Glasses
- Apple Watches
- VR Gloves
- Smart Rings
- Apple Pencil etc.
for additional functionalities like hanging up calls or scrolling pages.
Apple has always ensured that every product or device released to date has the capability of connecting and seamlessly integrating with the other products.
In fact, this ‘Apple ecosystem’ is one of the primary reasons why consumers have been loyal to the brand.
Most of the speculations on these additional wearables stem from the range of patents that the company has been filing recently.
It will only be right to assume that a futuristic product like the AR/VR headset will also have the scaling capability to integrate all the current and future inventions and innovations.
Apple Reality Pro VR Headset: Affordability – Is It Worth the Cost?
Image Source: https://svetapple.sk/apple/ar-vr-headset-od-apple-mieri-do-finale-ziskava-patenty-na-rukavice/
There is a speculation that the headset is the first step in the company’s journey to introduce and position the Apple Glass, which has been in the making for quite some time now.
Consequently, the headset might be targeted at developers and programmers initially, with the idea of hooking them through the app creation functionality. However, the range of functionalities and features offered is such that it will definitely have a wider appeal.
Apple has always branded its products for the luxury segment and priced it accordingly.
The general pricing norm for gaming VR headsets in the market has never gone beyond $1000 (except for Microsoft’s Hololens 2 which is priced at $3500).
As per Bloomberg reports, considering Apple’s target market and the company’s vision, It is expected that the price of the headset will range anywhere between $2000 and $3000, which is definitely a lot higher than an average AR headset.
Going forward, the company might reduce the price, if there is a Gen2 with better capabilities planned. We will have to wait and watch if the target consumers find it worth the price.
Are You Future Ready?
Image Source: https://www.roadtovr.com/apple-ar-suspension-report/
All the Apple launches so far have been smashing hits with the public, driven by various factors like the brand name, state-of-the-art products, highest quality, futuristic technology, innovative designs and functions, and importantly, complementing devices.
No wonder there is a huge hype and heavy expectations every time the company plans a new offering. It’s no different this time around too.
With this headset, the company has managed to integrate the real world environment into mixed reality.
And you can be sure that this might just be the stepping stone for Apple to convert it into something more bigger and phenomenal.
The Apple Pro VR/AR Headset is definitely set to be a game changer in the AR/VR market segment.