Apple may be working on a virtual reality headset
According to the latest iOS update, Apple may be working on a virtual reality headset for the fall. During its last year of development, Apple completed work on the headset’s chips, including a key system on a chip that combines many different components on a single silicon chip.
The chips have reached the tape-out milestone, meaning their physical designs are complete and ready for trial production. This is an important milestone in the headset’s development and one that may have pushed the release date even further.
• Wi-Fi 6E support:
According to a report from noted Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the iPhone 14 will have Wi-Fi 6E support. This new standard enables a higher-speed 6GHz connection and will be critical for the Apple VR headset’s user experience. This report is consistent with recent Apple forecasts. Apple is planning to introduce its VR headset in 2022 and has not revealed when it will launch.
Apple may be working on a virtual reality headset
The company is also rumored to be working on two projects involving augmented reality and virtual reality. While the iPhone 14 is expected to be released later this year, the company is reportedly working on two AR projects. The upcoming headset is expected to feature Wi-Fi 6E support, and Apple is also rumored to be working on augmented reality glasses. The company will have to overcome a supply crunch, so if it uses Wi-Fi 6E in the iPhone 14, it could face a major difficulty.
According to Kuo, Apple is likely to launch a new VR headset with Wi-Fi 6E support by 2022. The standard has become the standard for HMDs. In addition to Wi-Fi 6E, the headset will require wireless tethering, requiring a strong Wi-Fi connection. Wi-Fi 6E is a good choice for a consumer VR headset, as it eliminates the need for wired connections.
In addition to the Apple VR headset, other head-mounted displays will also feature Wi-Fi 6E support. According to Kuo, Wi-Fi 6E will be available in 2022, 2023, and 2024. Wi-Fi 6E will enable high-speed wireless transmissions, which is essential for immersive AR and VR experiences. Apple is expected to launch Wi-Fi 6E head-mounted display devices sometime between 2022 and 2024.
• 8K displays:
An analyst at TF Securities predicts an Apple VR headset will arrive in 2022 and support both AR and VR. He expects the device to be high-powered and include two processors: an M1-like chip with computing power comparable to the Mac, and a lower-end chip for sensor-related computing. Apple has not confirmed or denied these predictions, but the update does offer some information.
Apple may be working on a virtual reality headset
The Apple VR headset will feature an 8K display, a significant upgrade over current VR devices. The highest resolution headset currently on the market is the HP Reverb, which offers 2160 x 2160 resolution for each eye and 4320 x 2160 resolution for the entire device. Apple VR is reportedly planning to use 8K displays, which will deliver incredibly sharp images and realistic environments.
There are no details about when the device will be released, but the patent application may be a precursor to an actual product. The iPhone maker is reportedly close to completing the design of the VR headset, and it may be on its way this year. However, the launch date could be pushed even further. Apple may be working on a VR headset and a new iOS update could be the clincher.
Another major update to iOS has to do with the AirPlay feature. This feature is expected to cost between $300 and $900, making it a niche product that will not be affordable for everyone. If the Apple VR headset is indeed on the horizon, it will be expensive and will only be sold in a select number of retail stores. The sales volume for this product is likely to be low, but it may still be a success.
• Iris recognition:
The rumor mill has already suggested that Apple is working on an augmented reality headset, but that may not be true. The headset will use its own operating system, called ROS, to run the VR apps and games. Apple also appears to have incorporated lidar sensors into its iPhone 12 Pro and iPad Pro. Regardless of what the name of the device will be, it’s very possible that it’s coming to fruition in the near future.
According to Bloomberg, Apple’s mixed reality headset may be on the horizon. The company is already testing the product, but its launch is more likely to be in 2022 than it is in 2021, based on the current timeline for the Apple Watch. However, the company has other challenges to deal with, besides just design issues. COVID-19 has affected Apple’s supply chain, so the VR headset may not be available until 2022.
Iris recognition
Despite the alleged power requirements of a VR headset, Apple seems to be making sure that it has the latest chips in its product. The report suggests that the chip inside the headset will be even faster than Apple’s newly-launched M1 Mac processor. Apple may also have included a fan, something the company does not normally do on a mobile device. This would allow the headset to operate at a higher temperature while still maintaining the level of immersion.
Despite these challenges, it’s safe to assume that the VR headset will be on the horizon for the company. While there’s no concrete proof that it’s coming soon, the Apple headset’s development team may have reached a critical milestone: tape-out. This means that the chips used in the headset are ready for trial production. With a few more tweaks to the software, Apple could push the release date even further, according to Kuo.
• Haptic feedback:
According to Kuo, a tech analyst, the next Apple VR headset may have a resolution of 8K per eye, which will give it unprecedented detail. That’s quite a leap from the 1440×1700 resolution of the HTC Vive Cosmos Elite. The headset may also have eye tracking and cameras that scan the environment, which would be great for blending AR and VR.
The technology behind haptic feedback is nothing new. Many people have heard of it, but not everyone is aware of its benefits. Apple introduced it in 2015 with Taptics technology. The technology allows users to experience haptic sensations without touching the screen. However, there are still many questions about its practicality and implementation. It will be interesting to see how Apple combines haptic feedback with its VR headset.
Apple may be working on a virtual reality headset
The technology also works with other peripherals, such as joysticks and controllers. Razer already has a product in development that makes use of haptic feedback in its console peripherals. In fact, it debuted the Razer Nari Ultimate headset last year, which uses the same technology. This new feature allows players to feel dial notches or metal balls within the controller.
Haptic feedback for the Apple VR headset is also on the horizon, as an iOS update shows that the company has filed patents for several components of the headset. One of these components is a “Foveated Display” that minimizes the processing required to update the screen. A single sensor will receive high and low-resolution data streams, and it will automatically choose the most efficient one based on the gaze of the user.
• Separate processor:
Rumors have been swirling for quite some time that Apple will release a VR headset. According to famous Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the device is expected to launch in Q4 2022. Although there is still no solid date set for the headset’s release, many Apple enthusiasts are eagerly awaiting the device’s release. Despite the uncertainty, the rumor mill has been circling for quite some time. The headset is rumored to feature two processors: a higher-end processor comparable to the M1 chip and a lower-end chip that manages the device’s sensor-related functions.
Apple may be working on a virtual reality headset
It’s still too early to say when the Apple VR headset is due to be released, but new reports suggest that the company is working on two models of the headset. One will be focused on developers and will feature high-end VR functionalities. The other one will be aimed at mainstream consumers, with augmented reality capabilities. Apple has not revealed any details about the headset’s release date, but the company’s previous acquisitions have contributed to the speculation about its future.
Kuo’s report says the new Apple VR headset will be “a true standalone device” and won’t require a separate processor box to function. According to the report, earlier versions of the headset would have used a separate processor hub resembling a mini Mac. Jony Ive, however, has changed this design and sided with Tim Cook. A separate processor would allow the headset to communicate with a mobile device and decompress videos wirelessly.
Earlier reports have suggested that the headset would be an accessory for the iPhone, but this has not been confirmed. The headset would likely be sold separately, presumably a high-end model for developers. A more affordable version of the Apple VR headset would focus on augmented reality and mainstream users. If this is the case, the headset would be a more affordable alternative to the iPhone and other high-end devices. The company did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
