Update on Apple Glass and virtual reality headset rumors

With ARKit, Apple has already had a foothold in augmented reality for a long time. But since its release, the LiDAR available on iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro has only been used by a few rare developers and no longer seems to be Apple's main focus. On the other hand, we know, as many patents have shown, that the firm is working on a device focused 100% ongamingvia this technology. Or rather two.

Several products on the way

Indeed, according to analysts who heard about the secret Cupertino project, there would in fact be not one but two devices on the way to California. The first would be avirtual or mixed reality headset, where the second would rather take the form of a pair ofaugmented reality glasses. In theory, the headset should therefore be of more interest to gamers if we focus on the current market appetite.

The frame, for its part, should not be aimed at a more targeted audience such as professionals such as Google Glass. We rather imagine that the accessory will beiPhone extension, as is already the case with the Apple Watch today. This is also what many researchers who have investigated the subject are considering, estimating that glasses may simply not deign to launch their OS without pairing with an iPhone.

Supposed datasheet

Apple's virtual reality headset, whose real name remains completely unknown to this day, looks more like a choice alternative toPlayStation VRas a competitor to the HTC Vive. Indeed, it should not be necessary to connect anything to a computer or any smartphone to run the games. And this even if at the beginning, as is often the case with Apple accessories, we thought that the headset would not work without an iPhone. But the days of Cardboard-style mobile boxes are well and truly behind us when it comes to VR.

And for the precise technical characteristics, then? Rumors intersect, contradict each other, come together. Among those that come up most often, we're talking about the lightest headset on the market and a trio of panels from the laboratories of Sony, Genius Electronic Optical and Young Optics with 2K resolution for each eye, i.e.4Kin the end. With this, a host of sensors with radarLiDARand cameras would be responsible for tracking the user's movements, including those of their eyes, when aDigitial Crownwould play the commands. For performance, you would need to rely on an integrated graphics card and processor. However, we know that the Apple silicon program specializes in the creation of components of this type via TSMC foundries... The circle is complete.

For Apple Glass (the glasses), the project is a little more vague. It is difficult to know which parts the manufacturer will choose because the product still seems very far from a potential release. However, we know, as seen in patents, that Apple is testing self-cleaning glasses which would broadcast images using technologymicro-OLED. Objective of this solution: to save energy, which is a crucial issue when we know that Google Glass has suffered serious setbacks due to overheating.

Proof, if you want some, here it is

If we are talking about VR headsets and connected glasses at Apple, it is also because the firm has filed dozens of patents evoking the capabilities of devices of this type. Among them, we can notably cite the document which discusses the case of frames adapting the user's real environment through a faked view to no longer feel travel sickness. Still for smart glasses, it is also rumored that they could scan food like the appYukato help you choose healthy food. The integration with the Health app is obvious.

For the virtual reality headset, it could be equipped with a sound systemAudio spatialin order to allow the wearer to be aware of their audio environment in three dimensions (auralization). The eyewear would also be able to track objects located in front of the user and could be delivered together with gloves allowing them to control their environment in three dimensions.

Services

For the moment, details on Apple's VR headset or connected glasses therefore remain focused mainly on hardware aspects. But of course, such devices will have to be powered by an in-house OS as Apple knows how to do so well. This could take the name ofrealityOSor rOS according to some rumors, which the company has not confirmed.

Among the features, we imagine that with regard to the virtual reality headset, it is gaming that will be highlighted. Apple could then try to compete with the Meta Quest 2 with its ownmetaverse, also offering many of its flagship apps such as FaceTime or Apple TV+ in a 360 version. Of course, the on-demand video game service Apple Arcade will also very likely have new 3D titles.

Glasses, for their part, should rather allow readingnotificationswithout taking out your mobile. Another welcome use would be that of GPS while cycling, whose routes displayed in front of your eyes would prevent you from taking your eyes off the road. Solos, used by the official United States cycling team, already offer this functionality, and we know that with Health or the Apple Watch is moving more and more towards sports monitoring.

Apple VR headset release date and price

Apple's VR headset should not be released during the keynoteiPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro. Its operating system could, however, be unveiled at another conference in January 2023, time for developers to create apps before the product itself is made official at the Worldwide Developer Conference the same year.

Apple Glass, finally, is surely awaiting validation from the market before seeing the light of day. By 2025 at least, butwe are rather banking on a much later datebecause the competition itself is not yet sufficiently developed.