Apple VR/AR Headset: The New Virtual World of Apple

How Apple Will Reveal Its VR Headset [Video]

Video uploaded by CNET on December 9, 2022

The Brave New Virtual World of Apple: the Headset We Eagerly Expect Is Almost Here

Or at least we hope so. After quite some years of waiting – about six by now, to be precise – and our hopes being dashed more than once, we have our reasons to be cautious about the latest news and promises (especially since these are not backed by anything tangible so far either, and Apple itself is still keeping mum on the matter). But this time, notably increased activity of experts, leakers and pretty much everyone who monitors this particular development suggests some actual change may finally be happening at the mysterious Apple’s “mixed reality” headset front. (Which is no wonder, considering that a lot of Apple’s competitors, including Google, are closing in on this goal, whereas Meta, that now owns Oculus, and Microsoft are already pulling away with several such models on sale). Mark Gurman, the Bloomberg analyst, went as far as openly predicting that the big statement will be given by the iPhone maker this very spring, right before the Worldwide Developers Conference. His forecast is also backed with that of Ming Chi-Kuo who follows Apple rather closely.

So we think today may be the day to go through all the accumulated information regarding the product in question… despite the fact that we are not even aware of how it will be named. Let us sum it all up, simply to prepare ourselves for the grand entrance – just in case.

According to aforesaid Bloomberg, all the trademarks in question share the term “Reality” between them (including such names as “Reality One”, “Reality Pro” and, more notably still, “RealityOS”, which likely indicates that OS so named is also meant for Apple’s first ever VR product).

And, speaking of the name, several of them have been suggested by now, judging by some very telling brand titles patented by more than one front companies. According to aforesaid Bloomberg, all the trademarks in question share the term “Reality” between them (including such names as “Reality One”, “Reality Pro” and, more notably still, “RealityOS”, which likely indicates that OS so named is also meant for Apple’s first ever VR product). And Apple is known for submitting their product names for registrations via such firms. More than one MacBook OS version title was patented this way. However, it was all speculation until recently, when the very same Bloomberg actually went out flatly citing several codenames they believe are attached to the product in question: N301 and N421. That in itself speaks in favour of a very close launch. But the analysts didn’t stop there either: the aforementioned Mr Gurman claims that several test models of these kits have already been presented to software creators.

It is also safe to believe that this Apple’s novelty will be equipped with its newest and most powerful CPU of the M2 line. Most probably, it will be the M2 Pro version, unless there is a newer and mightier version the manufacturer also keeps from us for now.

In the same time, Apple’s augmented reality glasses project is reportedly on hold.

Plus, Bloomberg predicts that once Apple’s VR glasses materialize, they will set the buyers back from $2,000 to $3,000. And this sounds reasonable enough, because, knowing how zealous this company is about the finesse and quality about their screens and quality of their cameras, they are virtually certain to throw much more money in that direction than the makers of Focus 3 or Quest Pro (who still charge rather respectable $1000 plus for their kits). In other words, it looks quite likely that, at least at the start, Apple’s mixed reality device will be, as usual, aimed for those with deeper pockets and striving for the premium level goods… but those will be spoiled with all the frills and doodads. (Mind you, this will be ultimately for the better for the more cash-strapped – or less indulgent – among us: the sight of this metaverse monster will surely incite creators of cheaper models to try and emulate the same level of magnificence… but at a lesser budget).

Finally, the most interesting aspect of it all is that in a way, the subject AR/VR headset is partly within our reach by now. To wit, some existing mixed reality devices – Holokit X, for instance – can now work with such Apple’s gadgets as iPhone and Apple Watch (the former serving as spectacles whereas the latter handles gestures). And this is also a solid evidence of this particular talk of the town being, so to speak, all dressed and raring to go. Well, so are we, Apple. So are we.