Top Apple analyst, Ming-Chi Kuo, predicts the tech giant's release of their first mixed reality headset in mid-2022. The release will also kick-off a brand new product line, as Apple enters into the emerging space of virtual and augmented reality devices.
According to MacRumors, it is predicted that Apple's VR/AR/MR roadmaps will be sectioned into three phases. The first phase will helmet type by 2022, glasses type by 2025, and contact lens type by 2030-2040. The helmet type will provide both VR and AR immersive experience, while the glass and contact lens type will likely focus on augmented reality applications.
According to Kuo's notes on the headset, the current prototype weighs approximately 0.5 pounds, while the final product should be somewhere around quarter pound. The headset is equipped with micro-OLED displays, and will feature options for both AR and VR displays.
Kuo describes the final product similar to the Oculus Quest, with self contained computing and storage and wireless, unlike the Oculus Rift which requires a powerful PC to run.
The Google glass-like type will focus on providing AR applications. While the contact lens may be at least 10 years away from release.
Please note that nothing mentioned in this article can be confirmed, although Kuo is famous in the technology space for predicting early insights to Apple's future development plans.
Kuo also believes that the first generation VR headset by Apple will not be cheap, perhaps somewhere around $1,000USD. This price twice as much as the Oculus Quest 2, which is currently the most popular VR headset on the market.
While the success Kickstarter fundraise by Palmer Lucky raised over millions in 2012, and led to the acquisition by Facebook for 2 billion USD, many VR starts have failed along the path.
Even tech giants like Google became one of these roadkills, if you guys still remember the Google Glass?
As Tim Cook says, Apple is not interested to be the first in the market, but the best. We can certainly anticipate Apple's presence in the immersive reality industry introducing the best product by one of the most successful tech company in the world.
