Why Is Apple Making A VR Play?
A recent Bloomberg report shows that Apple is cooking up a VR headset. What impact will this have on the immersive industry?
What is Apple doing in the AR/VR space?
Apple has been exploring virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) technologies for more than 10 years, based on patent filings. Over the years, the focus has been on AR, but a recent Bloomberg report shows that Apple is now ramping up its activity in the VR space.
Apple’s usual style is not to reinvent the wheel. It takes existing technologies, allows them to mature, then recreates them in its own unique way — sleek, reliable, and simple. The company focuses on empowering people through technology and removing the complexities of technology from people’s lives.
However, with this new device, Apple isn’t looking to create an instant consumer hit. Instead, the company is laying the foundations for its main play: AR glasses. By developing a niche initial headset, Apple can invest in the underlying technologies, work on supply chain logistics, educate consumers, and build developer relations to give its eventual AR glasses the best chance at success.
Update (5th Feb 2021): a new report from The Information citing someone “with direct knowledge of the device” contends that the headset will be equipped with more than 12 cameras, which will be used for room-scale tracking, hand-tracking, and passthrough AR. It will also have ultra-high resolution 8K displays and eye-tracking technology. The report maintains that a $3,000 price tag has been discussed at Apple, suggesting the device will be aimed at enterprise customers or prosumers.
The Information obtained internal images of the headset’s late-stage prototype, which show a curved visor with a lightweight, fabric mesh material, along with swappable headbands.
What do we know about the device?
It has been described by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman as an “all-encompassing 3D digital environment” designed for VR gaming, watching videos, and communicating. AR functionality will be more limited.
Gurman’s report makes the potential Apple VR headset sound like Facebook’s standalone device, Oculus Quest, meaning it can operate on a battery rather than be plugged into a wall or a Mac.
It also has controller-free hand tracking and spatial room awareness — this could be facilitated by Apple’s lidar sensor technology which was recently introduced on the iPad Pro and iPhone 12 Pro— and a sleek design that uses fabrics and lightweight materials for comfort.
It sounds like it’s going to be pretty powerful too — Apple is aiming to include chips that beat the performance of the M1 Mac processors. It will also have displays that are much higher resolution than those in existing VR products.
The device cannot be worn with glasses so Apple has developed a system for prescription lenses to be inserted into the headset over the VR screens. It remains to be seen how Apple will tackle regulations governing the sale of products with prescriptions.
Whilst it’s been reported that the device will debut with its own App Store designed for VR content, we don’t know much about the actual content the device will ship with. With Apple acquiring NextVR in 2020, it will be interesting to see what is offered in regards to access to sport and music.
When will the device launch and what’s the price tag?
The plans indicate that Apple’s first foray into VR will be more expensive than the competition. Apple is said to have hit several development hurdles and has “conservative” sales estimates for the device. Apple expects to sell approximately 180,000 units, which is on par with pricier devices like the $5,999 Mac Pro.
Codenamed N301, the headset is rumoured to be launched as early as 2022, to be in direct competition with Facebook’s RayBan smart glasses collaboration. Apple’s AR glasses are much earlier in the design process and are set for a 2023 launch.
Why does it matter to consumers?
One of the issues the VR industry faces is that headsets remain disconnected from other technology in consumer’s lives. Most VR headsets have specific games and apps with little cross-communication between computers or phones.
One of Apple’s biggest pull points is its ecosystem of products and services that all communicate with each other. If they are able to do this with their ventures in the XR industry, Apple could make VR and AR as much a part of consumer’s daily activities as a smartwatch.
XRLO: eXtended Reality Lowdown is brought to you by REWIND, an immersive design and innovation company. If you want to talk tech, ideas, and the future, get in touch here.
Your claps and follows help us understand what our readers like. If you liked our articles, show them some love! ❤️
We’d also love to hear from you. If you’re passionate about all things XR, you can apply to contribute to XRLO here. ✍️
