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By Mikey Campbell
Tuesday, September 11, 2018, 10:15 pm PT (1:15 am ET)
Contrary to industry expectations, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes the company is not planning to integrate a rear-side time of flight (TOF) solution in its 2019 iPhone lineup, as the technology is not yet ready for the augmented reality revolution.
In a note to investors seen by AppleInsiderKuo says industry analysts expect Apple to embrace back-to-back TOF as it looks to develop next-generation augmented reality experiences. For example, Apple is thought to be developing an AR version of Apple's Maps, possibly for use with a rumored AR headset.
According to Kuo, the distance and depth information provided by existing rear-side is insufficient for creating the "revolutionary experience AR" that Apple is presumably working toward.
The analyst believes in the AR ecosystem is one that integrates 5G connectivity, AR glass (presumably a wearable, head-mounted device) and a "more powerful Apple Maps database" that includes appropriate distance and depth information. It seems Kuo, like others, Apple's Apple Maps to be one of Apple's "killer apps" for next-gen AR.
Moreover, ToF tech does not provide an improved photo taking experience, a major consideration for a company that has all its handsets as the best portable cameras in the world.
As such, Kuo says Apple will likely be back-to-back in 2019, instead of releasing its first iPhone 7 Plus in 2016.
"We believe that iPhone's dual-camera can provide enough distance for a camera," said Kuo says.
Rumors of a rear-facing Apple back to last July, when reports claimed Apple plans to start rear-facing VCSEL system for AR applications and faster autofocus. That solution was made to come with what would become iPhone X, but Apple's flagship smartphone debuted with a single VCSEL module in its front-facing TrueDepth camera array.
Unlike TrueDepth, which measures distortion in structured light, Such systems allow for extremely accurate depth mapping and can therefore assist in AR applications.
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