Apple Metaverse — VR/AR Goggles
A summary of the speculation I’ve seen so far
As the week comes to a close, I will summarise Apple-related speculation. After some time, it will again talk about Apple’s as-yet-unreleased VR headset and the possibility that the Cupertino company might try to build its version of the Metaverse. We’ll also look at the newly discovered yet never released Apple Magic Charger.
Does Apple want to compete with Metaverse?
In recent weeks, various speculations and more or less verified reports regarding future Apple devices for augmented, virtual or mixed reality have been gaining momentum again. According to the latest information, it looks like the Cupertino company could develop its own sophisticated AR/VR system to compete with the Metaverse platform.
On the subject, Bloomberg analyst Mark Gurman pointed out that Apple is looking for a professional content creator for virtual reality, adding that the company reportedly has plans to build its video service to play 3D content in VR. The upcoming VR headset would then offer automatic collaboration with Siri, Shortcuts and search.
While on the one hand, Apple is slowing down its hiring process, on the other hand, it looks like the company isn’t afraid to hire 3D and VR content specialists, according to Gurman. In a recent newsletter, for example, Gurman reported that Apple listed working on creating 3D virtual worlds as a job title in one of its job postings.
While Apple has in the past baulked at the idea of creating a platform similar to the Metaverse, it may try to embrace the alternative virtual world phenomenon in its way. VR/AR content consumption devices are being talked about as the bright future.
Unfortunately, it’s been talked about for a few years now, and while there are some efforts, especially in the case of Google and Meta, we’re still waiting for the big one. Maybe that will be an Apple device, but maybe not.
Finishing touches on the system
That Apple is true “up to something” and that we should see “it” fairly soon, is now evidenced by a Bloomberg report. The latter reports that Apple will continue recruiting teams working on AR and VR technology. Analyst Mark Gurman mentions that the development of the first operating system on which the device will run is codenamed Oak and is being concluded internally.
What does that mean?
That the system is ready to be deployed in hardware, this hiring goes against the current limitations of that regular jobs. Apple’s job listings also highlight that the company wants to bring third-party apps to its mixed-reality headsets.
There should also be Siri Shortcuts, some form of search, etc. Incidentally, Apple has also moved engineers working on other projects to the “headset” team. So all indications are that it needs to fine-tune the last details of the upcoming product.
When and for how much?
The current expectation is that Apple will announce some form of its mixed reality headset or virtual one as early as 2023, but at the same time it is very likely that this solution will be very expensive. The first version will probably not even target mass consumers, instead focusing on “pro” users in healthcare, engineering and developers. It is estimated that the final product will hit the $3k mark.
Three new models
Until recently, the name “realityOS” was the only clue we had about the possible name of Apple’s new mixed reality headset. But at the end of August, it was revealed that Apple had applied to register the trademarks “Reality One”, “Reality Pro”, and “Reality Processor”.
In light of all this, many theories have naturally arisen about what Apple will name its new products. However, in early September, information leaked that Apple was developing three headsets, codenamed N301, N602 and N421. The first headset Apple will introduce will likely be the Apple Reality Pro.
It should be a mixed-reality headset and target Meta’s Quest Pro as its main rival. That’s what the information above confirms. Only with the next generation should come a lighter and more affordable model.
Custom chip and ecosystem
Reality Processor indicates that the headset (and perhaps other upcoming AR/VR products from Apple) will have its own Apple Silicon chip family. Just as iPhones have A-series chips, Macs have M-series chips, and the Apple Watch has S-series chips, Apple’s AR/VR devices could have R-series chips.
This indicates that Apple is trying to do much more for the product than give it an iPhone chip. Why? We’re talking about devices that are expected to display 8K content while relying on battery power.
Not only that, but marketing plays a big role in this case, even if it’s the same chip and just renamed. So what’s on offer? The R1 chip, of course. Moreover, “Apple Reality” will not be just one product but an entire ecosystem based on augmented and virtual reality.
So it may look like Apple believes there is a future in AR and VR, as the company has been investing heavily in this area in recent years. Combined with watches, AirPods, and also possibly the supposedly upcoming ring. However, Apple could finally show us what such a device should look like, as neither Meta nor Google is speaking too confidently.
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