Per the mighty Mark Gurman, Apple has apparently indefinitely postponed its standalone augmented actuality (AR) glasses. The corporate, in flip, is claimed to be planning a decrease price mixed-reality headset for 2024 as a follow-up to the primary model that was slated for this yr in line with sources conversant in the story.
The change in plans underscores the varied challenges Apple faces in getting into the brand new trade. The corporate is betting that AR and VR units may very well be a serious moneymaker, however the technical challenges of manufacturing a consumer-friendly product has bedeviled a lot of the tech world.
At current, Fb proprietor Meta Platforms Inc. at present dominates the digital actuality (VR) headset market and presents an immersive expertise through which prospects can put on them to play video video games, talk in digital assembly rooms and watch video. AR glasses, in distinction, overlay visuals and data on real-world views. The thought appears to be that these can be worn as a extra informal headset over the course of a standard day.
Excessive price additionally might make an Apple headset extra of a distinct segment product. The preliminary mixed-reality gadget due this yr will price round $3,000. The hefty value stems from its use of superior and high-resolution shows, greater than 10 cameras, sensors to find out the place a consumer is trying, and each a Mac-grade M2 processor and a devoted chip for dealing with AR and VR visuals.
A sequence of trademark filings made by Apple trace that the corporate could also be pursuing a twin gadget technique. The paperwork have included the names “Actuality Professional” and “Actuality One.” The Professional identify is probably going for the preliminary mannequin, whereas the “One” suffix may very well be into account for the cheaper model. There is also a trademark submitting for “Actuality Processor,” hinting on the identify for the devoted chip.
Apple is seemingly specializing in a lower-cost headset versus the total AR glasses. At one level, Apple aimed to launch the glasses in 2023, earlier than delaying the launch till round 2025. Now, Apple has postponed the rollout indefinitely and pared again its work on the AR gadget.
An Apple spokesperson declined to remark as to the corporate’s plans.
Apple might in the end develop a much less cumbersome AR gadget, however discovering and constructing the fitting chips, batteries, software program, and manufacturing course of to create a light-weight product that may final all day isn’t on the horizon but. Apple’s first high-end headset has been stated to final about two hours on one cost. A telephone, in distinction, can often final the entire day or longer.
Keep tuned for added particulars as they develop into out there.
By way of @markgurman, Bloomberg, and The Data
