Apple has reportedly decided to prioritize a cheaper mixed reality headset as its second innovative product over its very difficult to design AR glasses.
According to the well-informed Mark Gurman of Bloomberg, the 1,000 employees of Apple’s virtual and augmented reality division are now mainly working on the brand’s two mixed reality headsets. Augmented reality glasses, once dubbed Apple Glass by the trade press, have been put aside for now and so won’t be around for a few years… if they ever do.
The coming MR years
As we already know, Apple is thinking about developing its mixed reality headsets that combine virtual reality and augmented reality. In order to offer the best possible technology, the giant from Cupertino has been working on its high-end helmet for more than seven years. This should normally be announced later in the year. Otherwise, the brand would have changed its roadmap. It would now prioritize developing a cheaper MR helmet, likely targeting $1,500 compared to around $3,000 for the model planned for this year.
This less powerful helmet is expected to see the light of day in 2024 or even early 2025, according to internal sources from journalist Mark Gurman. To successfully meet this price target, which is equivalent to the recently released Meta Quest Pro, Apple would look at using less powerful components.
As such, the company would look to chips present in its iPhones rather than its high-end Macs, as is possible for its upcoming MR headphones, which feature an M2 chip. Gurman also examined Apple’s trademarks. We learn that this second MR helmet could be called Reality One.
AR glasses, a technology that is not yet advanced enough
According to Gurman, Apple had an initial plan to launch its augmented reality glasses later this year before pushing the launch back to 2025. Plans are on hold while the company finds the best development solutions for its devices. The climate is also not conducive to this type of product. The market is cautious and still remembers the bitter failure of Google Glass. Even if brands are increasingly (re)positioning themselves in this segment, such as TCL, Oppo or Qualcomm with chips, Apple would see no point in rushing.
Apple would also like to design AR glasses that are as inconspicuous as possible, which may take on the role of the iPhone in everyday life. Gurman points out that Apple is struggling to develop the technologies necessary to offer such a product.
Goggles that are lightweight, compact and have a battery efficient enough to last you all day are no small feat. Gurman was able to speak to several Apple employees who shared with him their doubts about the potential release of these AR glasses. One should never say never, but it is quite possible that we will have no news of this product for several years.