It is the leaker Mark Gurman who via the publication Bloomberg has released a series of new details regarding Apple’s yet to be announced XR headset.
Gurman takes up a series of details that will differentiate Apple’s headset from the vast majority of other headsets, where several deal with different ways of combining the real world with the virtual one. One such detail is that the headset will offer Facetime-like video calls where the participants can converse with each other, while the user’s real body and face will be recreated in the virtual world, and not “artificial” game-like avatars that, for example, appear in Meta’s headset.
The headset will also eliminate the need for physical controls for the hands, but will use cameras to track both the user’s hands and eyes. In practice, this should mean that the user can interact with virtual objects by looking at them and then using their hands to manipulate them.
The user should also be able to switch between virtual reality and augmented reality by turning a crown similar to the one on the Apple Watch, and external cameras on the headset should thus provide the user with an image of the surroundings.
The headset should also be able to function as an external display if it is connected to a Mac. Then the computer screen will be displayed in the headset, while the user is still using the computer with the keyboard and mouse.
According to Gurman, the interface should have an interface with a grid for apps and widgets similar to that used in iOS and iPad OS. There must also be virtual versions of several functions that are available on iPhone and iPad. Among the apps allegedly included are Safari, Photos, Mail, Messages, Apple TV+, Apple Music, Podcasts and Calendar, plus an App Store dedicated to third-party apps.
In terms of hardware, the device should MicroLED screens with 4K resolution and several cameras to register the surroundings, but also “inward-facing” sensors for, among other things, iris tracking, facial expression detection. It is said to be powered by an external battery which is said to last up to two hours, plus a technology to be able to quickly change the battery to be able to use one battery while another battery is charging.
The headset, which is believed to be called the Reality Pro, is expected to possibly be unveiled in the first half of 2023, and go on sale in a limited edition later this year. The price is expected to end up in the region of 3000 dollars.
