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Tag: Reality Pro

  • Apple’s Reality Pro Headset: A Revolutionary Mixed Reality Experience

    Apple's Reality Pro Headset: A Revolutionary Mixed Reality Experience

    Apple Inc. is set to launch its long-anticipated mixed reality headset, Reality Pro, later this year. The device is a bold attempt to create a 3D version of the iPhone’s operating system, with eye- and hand-tracking capabilities that could set the technology apart from its competitors.

    The estimated $3,000 headset will feature an external display for a connected Mac, a 3D iOS-like interface, immersive video, and a novel approach to virtual meetings. It also has two ultra-high-resolution displays developed with Sony Group Corp. to handle virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR). It can switch between both modes with a digital crown, similar to the Apple Watch, and comes with custom lenses for those wearing prescription glasses.

    FaceTime software will be a major feature of the Reality Pro, as it will realistically render a user’s face and full body in VR. This will allow two people with an Apple headset to communicate and feel like they are in the same room. Apple is also working on content with media partners, such as Disney and Dolby Laboratories, and is updating its own Apple TV+ material to work with the headset. Users will be able to watch video content in a variety of environments, such as a desert or outer space.

    The device will have a dedicated app store for third-party software and services, including apps, games, and health-tracking functions. It will also have productivity features, such as being able to serve as an external monitor for a Mac. It can be controlled with a trackpad or mouse, a physical keyboard, or with voice commands via Siri.

    For all its features and potential, Apple’s Reality Pro headset faces a few obstacles. The high price tag could limit its appeal, and there’s no guarantee the device will be a hit. Apple is also working on a cheaper version for release in late 2024 or early 2025, which could be closer to $1,500.

    The device is expected to be unveiled as early as this spring, so we’ll have to wait just a little longer to find out if Apple’s long-anticipated mixed reality headset will be the success the company is hoping for.

  • Apple Delays Release of AR Glasses, to Focus on Cheaper Mixed Reality Headset

    Apple Delays Release of AR Glasses, to Focus on Cheaper Mixed Reality Headset

    Apple’s foray into the world of virtual and augmented reality has been a long time coming, and the tech giant is finally ready to enter the market. However, the company’s initial plans have changed, with Apple now postponing its first pair of augmented-reality glasses and instead focusing on a cheaper mixed-reality headset.

    The mixed-reality headset is expected to be released sometime in 2024 or early 2025, and will offer users a blend of virtual reality and augmented reality experiences. It will be powered by a Mac-grade M2 processor and a dedicated chip for handling AR and VR visuals, and will cost around $3,000. The goal is to eventually reduce the price of the headset to be competitive with other mixed-reality headsets on the market, such as Meta Platforms Inc.’s Quest Pro VR headset, which is currently priced at $1,500.

    Apple’s initial plan was to release the AR glasses after the debut of the mixed-reality headset, but the company has since postponed the launch due to technical challenges. AR glasses are designed to overlay visuals and information on real-world views, and earlier attempts at the concept such as Google Glass haven’t been successful. Additionally, the cost and weight of the device are big factors in its potential success, and Apple has yet to find the right chips, batteries, software, and manufacturing to make a lightweight device that can last all day.

    The company is still exploring the possibilities of AR glasses, with some teams continuing to look into the technologies for a standalone device. However, with the current state of technology, many within Apple are skeptical that the company will ever ship AR glasses. Other tech companies, such as Meta and Alphabet Inc.’s Google, have also announced their own plans for AR glasses, but their products remain in early stages.

    In the meantime, Apple is continuing to work on its mixed-reality headset, and has trademarked the names “Reality Pro” and “Reality One”. The Pro name is likely for the initial model, while the “One” suffix could be under consideration for the cheaper version. The company is also working on a dedicated chip for the headset, which will be called “Reality Processor”.

    For now, Apple’s mixed-reality headset will be the company’s first foray into the world of virtual and augmented reality. It will be interesting to see how the product is received, and whether it will be the precursor to the eventual launch of Apple’s long-awaited AR glasses.

  • Apple to Release Mixed-Reality Headset, the Reality Pro, in 2023

    Apple plans to unveil its mixed-reality headset, the Reality Pro, in the spring of 2023, with a release date in the fall, according to sources. The device, known internally as “Borealis,” has been in development for seven years and was previously slated for release in 2020, then 2021, and then 2022. Apple has shared the device with select software developers for testing and plans to publicly name its operating system “xrOS.”

    The headset’s release will be the main focus for Apple this year, with other projects suffering delays and budget cuts as a result. The company is also expected to release updated versions of the MacBook Pro and iMac with marginal improvements, as well as an updated Mac Pro with the M2 Ultra chip. Apple is also rumored to be working on a foldable iPhone and a new fintech product, but both are facing delays.