Apple Inc. is still planning to unveil its first mixed-reality headset this year, but an even more important follow-up product — lightweight augmented-reality glasses — has been postponed due to technical challenges.
Bloomberg
We’ve been talking about Apple’s AR/VR product plans since 2017 when the company acquired VRVana. So began an odyssey of speculation rife every year: Apple’s VR headset will use fluid-filled lenses, VR/AR headsets risk being delayed, Sony building the display for Apple’s headset, the headset will have 8K resolution per eye.
Today, we are talking about the high-cost of the headsets, 2024 or 2025 for a low-cost mixed-reality headset, and other moves on the company’s part. Apple can’t follow the market on this one, and even it doesn’t have the allocation of resources needed to challenge Meta’s work, whatever you may think about that company’s investment in AR/VR headsets. The likelihood is that the company is finding it hard to find a way to go after an AR/VR product that would be uniquely Apple and a recognizable addition to the brand.
Put aside the technical challenges of making a product that consumers will want. Put aside the fact that even Apple’s die-hard fanbase among designers and creators may be difficult to reach with a pricey immersive display. Now, you are left with the question, what’s the plan here, Apple? What are you going to give us that we didn’t know we wanted? Have you trapped yourself in a corner trying to Apple your way into AR/VR?
We might be looking at a few more years of prognostications , rumors, and product delays.
