The rumors and leaks about one or more AR/VR headsets from Apple are nothing new - they have been with us for several years. Now a report has been published that takes a closer look at Apple's plans in this regard.
For a while there was talk of Apple Glasses – AR glasses. At some point rumors about a VR headset. It is now said to be about both AR glasses and a VR headset with a focus on gaming. Now Mark Gurman, a well-known Apple leaker and Bloomberg journalist, claims to have learned more details about Apple's plans. The internal and secret department responsible for the development of this new product is described. Due to a design issue, the original product is said to be very different from what will actually be released. According to the report, there were disagreements between former Apple design chief Jony Ive and Mike Rockwell.
Headset with hub? A no-go for Jony Ive
Rockwell is the head of this secret, 1,000-person department that deals with VR and AR. The discussion focused on fundamental aspects of the headset, codenamed N301. According to the report:
N301 was originally designed as an ultra-powerful system with graphics and processing speeds never before seen in a portable product. The processing capabilities were so advanced - and produced so much heat - that the technology couldn't be packed into a sleek headset. Instead, Rockwell's team planned to sell a stationary hub, which in prototype form resembled a small Mac, that would connect to the headset via a wireless signal. Rockwell's early version was also designed to allow the headset to operate in a less powerful standalone mode.
Ive balked at the prospect of selling a headset that would require a separate, stationary device for full functionality. He encouraged Rockwell and his team to redesign N301 around the less capable technology that could be fully embedded in the device. Rockwell fought back, arguing that a wireless hub would enable such superior performance that it would blow anything else available on the market out of the water. The stalemate continued for months.
Less ambitious but still progressive
According to Gurman, Apple CEO Tim Cook ultimately sided with Ive, who did not want Apple to promote technologies that would take people out of the real world. As a result, the headset no longer communicates with a separate hub, so the graphics will most likely not be as good as they could have been. Download speeds will also certainly be slower. It continues:
Although the headset now in development is less technologically ambitious than originally planned, it is quite advanced. It is designed to have ultra-high-resolution screens that will make it almost impossible for the user to distinguish the virtual world from the real one. A cinematic speaker system will make the experience even more realistic, say people who have used prototypes.
The N301 prototypes are supposed to look like a smaller version of the Oculus Quest - we have read this statement several times. A key difference is the existing housing, which, unlike the Oculus Quest, is mostly made of fabric. This should ensure that it is comfortable to wear even over longer periods of time.
The price has not yet been determined
Currently, tests are supposed to focus on different head shapes to determine the ideal fit. Another important point is the price. According to Bloomberg, this has not yet been determined, as this part is still to be done. According to them, rumors about alleged prices are complete nonsense. In addition, Apple is planning its own app store for the headset, with a focus on gaming and video streaming. It is also supposed to serve as a kind of "super high-tech communication device for virtual meetings". Although there are reports that the device is currently operated with a remote control, the final product is supposed to be controlled with Siri. The N301 headset is just one of at least two projects. According to this, pure AR glasses with the code name N421 are also said to be in development. According to Bloomberg, Apple's roadmap envisages that the VR headset will be released in 2022 while the AR glasses will be presented in 2023. So it remains exciting to see what Apple will actually present to us in the end. (Photo by Marko Aliaksandr / Bigstockphoto)
