Apple is reportedly engaged on a extra inexpensive model of its blended actuality headset, in a bid to make its VR/AR platform accessible to extra.
So, there are two tales right here. One is that as per Bloomberg, work on the augmented actuality ‘Apple Glasses’ has been paused indefinitely resulting from “technical difficulties.” And the opposite surrounds the more and more louder rumor mill that Apple is making a extra inexpensive model of its AR/VR headset, which is being reported by The Info (opens in new tab).
These tales are linked
It’s clear that if the experiences are correct, these two tales are related, as Apple sees extra worth in producing a blended actuality headset over a Google Glass-esque machine that the corporate reportedly considers to be the product that might exchange the iPhone sooner or later.
The plan for this Apple Actuality SE (essentially the most logical naming I can consider) is that engineers are taking this $3,000 headset that could possibly be introduced as early as this spring, and wish to discover extra inexpensive parts to drive that price down. These cutbacks may embody decrease decision shows and cheaper supplies — with a view to compete with the likes of the Meta Quest Professional, which prices $1,500.
That’s nonetheless relatively dear, however the associated fee is relative to the specs. And if the facility potential being spoken about in rumors concerning the costlier mannequin make the transition in some kind (loads of exterior cameras, spatial audio, a 120-degree subject of view, and a standalone battery pack), it’ll be price it.
Outlook
Given how a lot VR and AR dominated CES 2023 with the likes of PSVR 2 and the HTC Vive XR Elite, Apple has received the timing proper for dropping what could also be referred to as the “Actuality Professional” or “Actuality One,” based mostly on what has been trademarked.
However with its value and its reported availability (apparently solely 200,000 is being made), the headset is clearly going to be restricted to a professional tier client base. Nevertheless, increasing this to a probably wider viewers with a less expensive model is a really thrilling prospect!
