Apple’s much-anticipated AR/VR headset, dubbed “Apple Reality Pro,” may finally debut in June at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), according to a Bloomberg report by Mark Gurman. Initially, the headset was scheduled for an April launch, but Apple postponed it to an unknown date.
The AR/MR headset is rumored to be a significant product release this year, especially since there have been substantial changes to other Apple devices such as the iPad, AirPods, and Apple Watch. The headset is expected to feature a “Mac-grade” M2 chip, 4K VR displays, and a wide range of augmented reality (AR) cameras. It will run on new software called xrOS (Xtended Reality).
While the original launch was scheduled for mid-2022, the timeline has since been pushed back several times, first to January 2023, then to April 2023, and now to June 2023. According to Bloomberg, the delay is due to hardware and software issues. Apple is yet to announce an official date for WWDC.
According to Bloomberg, the AR/VR headset is expected to be expensive, costing around $3,000. This price is due to the cutting-edge technology featured in the headset, including advanced hand and eye tracking, ultra-high-resolution displays, and more than a dozen cameras and sensors housed in the headset chassis.
Apple’s annual WWDC conference usually takes place in the first week of June. It is used to announce new updates to the company’s operating systems, such as iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, and watchOS. Apple is expected to unveil iOS 17, iPadOS 17, macOS 14, tvOS 17, and watchOS 10 at this year’s event.
While the AR/VR headset may not be a mass consumer hit, it is expected to pave the way for Apple’s future in virtual and augmented reality. With a potential June unveiling at WWDC, Apple fans can look forward to a new era of immersive technology from the tech giant.
