A new report suggests that Apple may launch the long-rumoured AR headset next year.
According to the report, the headset will go on sale in the fourth quarter 2022. It contains two processors with the same computing power as the Mac.
This processor will be ‘similar’ to M1, Apple’s own in-house-designed computer chip, currently used in its Macintosh computers and iPad Pro tablets.
Details on the device stem from a research note from renowned Apple product predictor and analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, as viewed by MacRumors.
Apple’s oft-rumoured augmented reality headset could launch as soon as the fourth quarter of 2022, according to one Hong Kong-based analyst
Kuo states in the note that “We expect that Apple’s AR headset will be launched in 4Q22 with two processors,” MacRumors quotes Kuo as saying.
“The M1 for Mac will use the same computing power that the higher-end processor has, while the processor at the lower end will handle sensor-related computing.
Apple used to rely on Intel chips in its Macs. However, Apple has now switched to M1 by the tech company last November.
However, Kuo said the processor in the headset would have ‘similar computing power’, suggesting it’s not exactly the same chip.
In the meantime, the lower-end second processor will handle the “sensor-related aspects” of the headset. The sensor’s processing power will however be significantly greater than that of an iPhone.
Kuo said that the headset would be capable of supporting virtual reality (VR) and AR. This is thanks to a pair 4K Micro OLED display from Sony.
AR layers computer-generated images on top of an existing reality – Pokémon Go being a famous example – while VR is wholly virtual.
MailOnline has contacted Apple for comment regarding whether Kuo’s claims, although he has previously been described by some news outlets as ‘the most accurate Apple analyst in the world’.
Apple Track, a blog that keeps tabs on Apple rumours ‘and the sources that publish them, currently gives Kuo an accuracy rating of 75.9 per cent.
Kuo is an analyst with TF International Securities, Hong Kong. He’s known for obtaining information about Apple’s plans through his connections within the Asian supply chain.
However, Kuo predicted in June that the will launch in spring 2022, so it seems the timeframe has been pushed back – and could be pushed back again.
At the time, Kuo said it will cost headset that could cost $1,000 (£750), although another report has put its price-tag at twice this amount.
In October, Kuo said Apple’s upcoming headset will also be wireless and use Wi-Fi 6E, the newest version of Wi-Fi, allowing it faster speeds and a higher number of connections.
Although the Apple headset might still be required to communicate with an iPhone or Mac, it is possible that the future version of the device will not.
According to another recent report from Digitimes, citing supply chain sources, the product will cost as much $2,000 (£1,500).
According to this report, the headset’s future design would not appeal to consumers. Instead, it would be targeted at developers and business customers.
Apple is increasingly embracing augmented reality technology. AR Kit was launched by Apple in 2017. It allows developers to build apps using the technology.
Apple Glass, an AR product targeted at consumers, will not be released before 2023. This AR product would look closer to a pair of glasses.
A 2019 report from The Information collaborates the suggestion that Apple is working on two AR/VR products.
Apple Glass could display a digital display with the lenses, to match surrounding environments such as arrows that can be used to assist consumers in finding their destination within cities.
Apple Glasses could be made to look like regular glasses, rather than a chunky headset. This would make them more attractive for the consumer market.
Apple is increasingly using augmented reality technology. AR Kit is an augmented reality platform that allows developers to develop apps, and other software with the tech. It was introduced by Apple in 2017.
APPLE IS WORKING ON AN ALL-GLASS SMARTPHONE WITH A CONTINUOUS DISPLAY ACROSS THE FRONT, BACK AND SIDES, PATENT SUGGESTS
Apple has filed a patent indicating that it is developing an iPhone with a glass-enclosed display.
The patent, which is called “a single slab” of glass, shows the device having displays at both its back and front, along with touchscreen buttons along its curved edges.
An iPhone’s back could be fitted with a 360-degree display glass, which would potentially double its size without affecting the size or shape of the device.
Two displays could be displayed on the front or back of this device. However, users can also have one display facing them in case they hold the device in their hands.
Jony Ive from the British Product Design Department, Apple’s 1992-2019 employee, previously discussed the idea of an all glass iPhone. According to some reports, it was referred to as a “single slab of glass” in 2016.
Jony Ive, former Apple chief designer officer (left), and Tim Cook, Apple CEO inspect the iPhone XR at an Apple event held at the Steve Jobs Theatre on September 2018. Ive could have been the catalyst for Apple’s efforts to create an all-glass iPhone.
Ive was responsible for pioneering many of the company’s most iconic products, including the iPod, iPhone and iPad.
The new patent shows that even though he left to establish his own design firm, his work on an all glass smartphone seems to be continuing.
A report from last year claims that I was involved in the delay of Apple’s AR product. It is still not available for sale.
The AR headset originally was designed to be dependent upon an external device, similar to a Mac. This small Mac would handle most of the processing power and broadcast the information wirelessly to the headset.
This would have been a much better headset, but I’ve never liked the idea that the headset was dependent upon separate hardware.