Apple’s mixed reality headset debut expected in mid-2021



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According to a new report, Apple plans to announce its mixed reality headset “in the next few months” and would prefer to do so at an in-person event.

The Cupertino tech giant is said to have plans to announce the mixed reality product in the coming months – its first new product category since 2015. However, it doesn’t necessarily want to do so at a virtual event, according to a report. published Wednesday. morning by Bloomberg.

“If possible, Apple won’t want to make such a critical announcement at an online event,” the report says. “He wants employees, the media, his partners and developers in the room.”

The report offers no further details about a possible in-person event, or whether such an announcement is even feasible during the ongoing health crisis. He points out that Apple appears to be working faster than other tech companies to bring key engineering personnel back to the office.

Back in January, Bloomberg reported that the first Apple AR or Apple VR device will be an expensive, “niche” product aimed primarily at developers. There are reports that Apple plans to sell the product in low volumes – possibly just one headset per day per Apple Store location.

This first Apple headset is currently slated for release in 2022, according to reports. With the Bloomberg Prediction Wednesday, it’s possible that any reveal in the coming months will be a pre-announcement meant to give developers time to explore the new experience – similar to the Apple Silicon transition.

An unveiling in the “next few months” would normally coincide with a spring event or with WWDC. Based on this timeline and the fact that the product will be aimed at developers, this latter event appears more likely.

Other Apple watchers, such as analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, have corroborated the company’s planned release of a VR or MR device in 2022. Rumor has it that the product will sport 8K displays, an advanced technology from eye tracking and other features in a visor-like design.

The MR device focuses on immersing a wearer in a fully virtual environment, although current rumors indicate that it would provide AR functionality as well. Because of this focus, it is poised to compete with existing devices such as the Oculus Rift, which are primarily gaming focused.

There seem to be disagreements over the price of the device. Kuo says it will be “priced higher than the iPhone”. A February report suggested the RM device could cost as much as $ 3,000.

After the release of the high-end VR or MR device, Apple could also launch a more consumer-focused augmented reality product such as “Apple Glass” by 2025. A pair of augmented reality contact lenses could arrive. by 2030, says Kuo.

Wednesday’s report focused on the possibility of WWDC returning to an in-person format in the future. Sources say Apple is hoping WWDC 2021 will be the company’s last digital-only conference.

Apple has hosted every event digitally since its last in-person event in September 2019 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

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