Apple is working on multiple prototypes of Augmented Reality headset
Apple is developing an AR headset which the company could launch in last of 2018. The reports are coming from multiple sources that the tech-giant is testing several AR headset prototypes. However, these reports are somewhat leaked details but as we know that Tim Cook, on record, has already said that Apple is more interested in the technology of Augmented Reality than the Virtual Reality technology.
The recent comments of Cook’s on the subject seem to confirm that Apple is interested in AR technology and, he also believes that it will be “big and profound,” as he added that he “could not be more excited,” about AR. He also said that “this is one of those huge things that we’ll look back and marvel at the start of it.”
This is why it will not be a surprise if the company is already working on multiple of AR headsets and the work is in the process inside R&D labs.
The report that came via Financial Times inside sources, who are familiar with Apple’s internal development plans, says that Apple has a number of different kinds of headset prototypes under testing and, the company is figuring out which one of them will be the most compelling to launch in the market.
A prototype that was favored by one of the Apple’s developers has 3D camera but does not incorporate its own display. An iPhone handset can be inserted into headset.
This is too similar to how existing VR products like Samsung Gear VR and Google Daydream View are available in the market and many other rivals which are moving to standalone headsets which will not need any smartphone or PC for processing the operations.
As said, the biggest rival to Apple AR headset would likely be Microsoft’s HoloLens. But no official news has come out either for the AR headset’s release data or for the design of the device. Earlier there were rumors that the device would feature its own display and hardware but connect wirelessly to an iPhone headset.
Reports state that because Apple’s headset is still in prototyping phase, the launch may usually take another full year which means we can naturally expect the entry of the device in late 2018. It would be quite unlike if the company still manages to launch the device inside 2017. Several other sources including Financial Times and Bloomberg believe that as of current status in which there is even no official announcement about the release of the device, we have to wait for another year which simply means the device would be launched after the 3rd or in the 4th quarter of 2018.
If it’s going to be an iPhone based AR headset, it will naturally provide new opportunities to iPhone application development companies and individual iPhone app developers.
