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[Eddie-Griffin]

Apple Pushes Back Mixed-Reality Headset Debut Two Months to June

Apple Inc. has postponed a planned introduction of its first mixed-reality headset from around April to June, according to people familiar with the matter, marking the latest setback for the tech giant’s next big initiative.

www.bloomberg.com

• Unveiling is now planned for developer conference after snags
• Device represents company’s first major new category since ’15
  
  Apple Inc. has postponed a planned introduction of its first mixed-reality headset from around April to June, according to people familiar with the matter, marking the latest setback for the tech giant’s next big initiative.
  
  The iPhone maker is now aiming to unveil the product at its annual Worldwide Developers Conference, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the plans are confidential. Apple made the decision to delay the launch earlier this month after product testing showed that both hardware and software issues still needed to be ironed out, they said.
  
  The debut of the headset has been a long time coming, with Apple working on the technology since around 2015. At one point, the company aimed to introduce the product in June of last year, before pushing back the introduction until around January 2023. It was then shifted to spring before the latest postponement.
  
  The device, which melds virtual and augmented reality, would vault Apple into its first major new product category since the company began selling smartwatches in 2015. That could help bolster growth following a recent slowdown, but it’s still an uncertain market and Apple plans to charge around $3,000 for the new product — a daunting price tag.

Apple Seeks a New Source of Revenue​

A mixed-reality headset would decrease reliance on the iPhone for sales

Dan Riccio — Apple’s former hardware chief, who now helps oversee the mixed-reality project — has become increasingly involved in the endeavor in recent weeks as the company looks to resolve remaining issues, the people added. An Apple spokeswoman declined to comment.

Apple’s earlier plan was to unveil the product in early spring at a launch event aimed at consumers. It could then provide more extensive details and development tools to third-party software developers at its annual June expo, known as WWDC. Now the company is aiming to debut all aspects of the device at that conference. The product would then go on sale later in the year.

The timing could always change again, but the Cupertino, California-based company is intent on bringing the device to market by the end of 2023 if possible. It’s meant to be a centerpiece of Apple’s new product lineup during an otherwise modest year. The company is introducing a larger MacBook Air, new Mac Pro desktop and updates to the iPhone, but there won’t be significant changes to its watch, AirPods or iPad.

Apple’s mixed-reality headset will feature a new operating system, dubbed xrOS internally, that features a 3D-like view of an iPhone interface, complete with apps like Messages, Mail, Safari and TV. The device — codenamed N301 — will allow for more advanced virtual videoconferencing, with realistic avatars, as well as immersive video streaming. It will also include an App Store like Apple’s other core products.

The hardware itself has been challenging and pricey to develop, partly because of its sophisticated components. It includes a Mac-grade M2 chip, a pair of 4K virtual reality displays, and an extensive array of cameras to enable augmented reality.

Developing the product’s interface also has been a complex undertaking. Users will be able to look at items to select them and pinch their fingers to launch apps — and perfecting this sci-fi-like approach has taken time.

Apple has been working to fix issues with sensors on the device to enable the hand and eye control mechanism. It’s also trying to strike a balance between battery life and performance. During development, the company made the decision to offload the device’s battery to an external pack that would sit in a user’s pocket.

Within Apple, there have been concerns that the headset will be too costly and suffer the same fate as Meta Platforms Inc. devices, which have been slow to go mainstream. Some engineers involved in the project worry that Apple is jumping into a still-nascent market without a true game changer. Others believe that the initial device will set the stage for future successes, a path followed by the Apple Watch. The company is already eyeing a cheaper version — with less pricey and powerful components — for release as early as 2024. At the same time, Apple has indefinitely postponed work on standalone augmented reality glasses, which would be less cumbersome but require technological sophistication beyond what’s currently available.

New info drop has come. Apparently Apple is delaying the VR headset a second time and will likely unveil it, it's software, and other info at their WWDC event in June.

The original plan was to have a demo for consumers in spring, but it looks like Apple wants to showcase everything they got and give themselves time for last minute polish for the custom OS, software, and hand/eye tracking. Then just have everything shown at their keynote event in June, with the device releasing not long after before the end of the year.

Also reportedly a cheaper version of the handset is in development and my come out going into 2024 as well, which if true will help with accessibility.

From the looks of it the device is pretty much nearly ready, but there's some finishing touched that need to be addressed, So they brought Dan Riccio onboard to tackle those last few problems.

This may actually be a pretty good idea, given that if this headset has compatibility with MAC, Iphones, etc. then having this device shown with those at WWDC could give the headset some hype to ride off of. Especially if it ends up being lower than the rumored $3000.

 

[acm2000]

so, waiting to see the psvr2 to see which of its software features they can invent for the first time ever one their own headset, gotcha.

 

[Eddie-Griffin]

so, waiting to see the psvr2 to see which of its software features they can invent for the first time ever one their own headset, gotcha.

More like seeing what the multiple 2023 headsets releasing first half of the year will do, as they make final adjustments.

There's not enough time between now and June to add anything.

 

[Eddie-Griffin]

https://www.cnet.com/tech/computing/apples-arvr-headset-will-reportedly-be-revealed-at-wwdc/

Apple reportedly had planned to introduce the mixed-reality headset in April, but decided to delay the launch after "product testing showed that both hardware and software issues still needed to be ironed out," according to Bloomberg.

Apple didn't respond to a request for comment.

Little is known for sure about Apple's AR/VR headset, although there's speculation it will have features similar to Meta's Quest Pro. Its price is rumored to be in the $3,000 range, and it could be the first of several headsets from Apple. Even if the rumored headset is announced at WWDC, Apple tends to introduce new products months before they're available.

So it seems the delay is to get software and hardware finalized.

At least it shows they are taking this seriously, regardless of how the final product will perform.

 

[THE DUCK]

The idea that it would be a significant revenue stream seems at odds that it will be $1000-$1500. Maybe there's still a chance it's actually a consumer product at a mass market price.

 

[ZehDon]

The idea that it would be a significant revenue stream seems at odds that it will be $1000-$1500. Maybe there's still a chance it's actually a consumer product at a mass market price.

It's actually eyeing a $3,000.00 price tag. If its a new "Macintosh" moment, as hinted at prior, they might shift some units - but this tech isn't mass market until its a pair of glasses. No point trying to squeeze something out for USD$500.00 - might as well build a full featured device and charge an arm and a leg and get the metaverse ball rolling.