Apple: Is the in-house AR headset coming in 2022?

IPhone, iPad, Mac – Apple’s holy trinity has been untouchable for many years. Gadgets that deviate from this, such as the Apple Watch or the AirTag, are the exception rather than the rule. But now, according to Tim Cook, the company wants to dare another exciting experiment. The magic word is augmented reality (AR). In a recent interview, Apple’s CEO Tim Cook once again emphasized that AR is very important for the Californian company. However, there is not to be any concrete hardware until next year.

From toy to serious gadget

Already, Apple offers some exciting AR features. For example, you can use AR-based apps with the help of your iPhone to decorate your own four walls. The pre-installed “Measuring Tape” application also relies on augmented reality. In keeping with its name, you can use it to measure the lengths of walls in rooms, for example. Now, however, the company wants to bring its AR division out of its infancy and launch serious applications. The linchpin is supposed to be a specially designed AR headset. Apple expert Ming-Chi Kuo says that this should go on sale as early as next year – if the chip shortage does not put a spoke in Apple’s wheel here as well.

Powerful hardware

But Ming-Chi Kuo, as an insider, was not only able to provide information about the mere release period. The Apple supplier expert also had a few words to say about the hardware. According to Kuo, it is a “mixed reality headset”. Thus, not only augmented reality (AR), but also virtual reality (VR) should be possible with Apple’s first headset. Accordingly, the expert also talks about Apple placing a great emphasis on hardware power. To illustrate this, he makes an impressive comparison. The performance is on the level of the M1 chip. This is currently the spearhead of the Mac series. With the help of the strong chip, demanding apps in high resolutions and frame rates should be possible. A more compact version of the AR glasses will be launched a few years later. Both models should of course be able to be used autonomously from the iPhone.

Awaiting a presentation soon?

Like comparable headsets that are already available, Apple’s counterpart is to use a combination of two displays. According to Kuo, it is a matter of two micro OLEDs from Sony. Both mini-screens are supposed to offer a 4K resolution. If Kuo’s and other insiders’ statements are correct, we will probably expect the AR headset to be released as early as next year.

However, then it shouldn’t be too long before Apple informs its clientele about the new headset for the first time. Apart from the design and the hardware, I am also very interested in the controls. After all, Apple could finally provide a headset suitable for the masses that runs independently of PC, smartphone & Co.

Competition for HTC Vive & Co.?

We are already curious about what is behind Apple’s exciting plans. With its Apple Arcade service, the Californians have proven that they can release serious gaming apps in collaboration with good developer studios. If the company can also attract suitable experts for its AR headsets, we can probably expect a big competition for already established big players in the field of VR. However, Apple’s debut in the field of entertainment headsets will probably not be a cheap piece of hardware. Experts speculate an MSRP of just under $3,000.