A leak of Apple’s new AR/VR headset hints at a release date – and that’s in 2023
For years, Apple has been rumored to be working on a headset that combines augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) – sometimes called mixed reality (MR) – and the latest prediction for that device is that it will arrive later this year .
Seasoned industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who usually knows what he’s talking about when it comes to Apple, he tweeted (opens in a new tab) (by 9to5Mac (opens in a new tab)) that the AR/VR headset is delayed due to some hardware testing and availability of developer tools.
That means, Kuo says, the shipping window could move from Q2 2023 to Q3: July, August or September. Previous leaks, including one from Kuo, indicated the arrival of the device in the first half of this year.
Time is everything
There’s still a chance Apple will announce the device ahead of time before it actually goes on sale. Kuo says that “based on the current development process” it could be unveiled at an event around March or at the World Developer Conference that Apple hosts every June.
App developers’ involvement in the new hardware will be crucial – there won’t be many people willing to buy an expensive AR/VR headset if there’s nothing noteworthy to use it for.
From previous leaks, it would seem that Apple may call the operating system on the new device realityOS, although this is by no means certain. After so many years of rumors and speculation, it will be fascinating to see what Apple has managed to create when the headset is finally unveiled.
Analysis: an important move for Apple
It’s easy to take for granted Apple’s massive manufacturing operation: it produces millions of iPhones, iPads, Macs, and other pieces of hardware every month, and (generally) manages to do it all without any major issues.
When it comes to entering another product category, such as an AR/VR headset (or car), it presents a bit more of a challenge. The parts and processes are new, and that’s before we get to the question of whether anyone is actually going to buy it.
The Apple Watch was the last time Apple presented something completely fresh, rather than an update to an existing product. After a somewhat bumpy start, consumers have finally embraced the wearable, and it’s now a permanent fixture in Apple’s hardware lineup.
As with the smartwatch, the AR/VR headset will be a shot in the dark for Apple. This isn’t a gadget category with plenty of existing devices on display, giving Apple a better chance of setting the standard for our mixed reality future.
