Apple VR/AR Headset - 5 Biggest Rumors | Tom's Guide - video Dailymotion

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Apple's first VR/AR headset is tipped to launch at WWDC 2023 and it's generating a ton of hype but also skepticism.   Here's the 5 biggest rumors on how the Apple Reality Pro headset could stand out.

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00:00 The Apple AR/VR headset will likely be announced June 5th at WWDC 2023, and it could be a very

00:06 big deal, or a very big flop.

00:09 The first major hurdle is the rumored $3,000 price for the so-called Apple Reality Pro,

00:14 which will clearly limit its appeal among shoppers.

00:16 And even assuming Apple follows up with a cheaper mixed reality headset, it still needs

00:20 to fight the notion that these devices and the metaverse have peaked.

00:25 After all, meta has already pivoted to AI, and Google I/O 2023 just happened with only

00:30 a brief mention of its mixed reality partnership with Qualcomm and Samsung on an upcoming device.

00:35 So how can Apple win over the skeptics with its headset?

00:38 Here's the 5 biggest Apple headset rumors so far.

00:44 The Apple Reality Pro headset is tipped to feature both eye and hand tracking, so you

00:48 likely won't need controllers to navigate Apple's walled garden-verse.

00:52 The Apple headset will reportedly have lots of cameras and sensors on the exterior that

00:57 will work along with sensors within the headset that will be able to read eye movement.

01:01 This will allow a user to select an item just by looking at it.

01:05 To open that item, the user will have to pinch their index finger and thumb together.

01:09 Sounds easy enough, but I'm a bit skeptical about the rumor that you'll be able to type

01:13 in mid-air.

01:14 We've already heard that Apple plans to leverage its headset for immersive video watching

01:22 in a way where it makes users feel like they're seeing a movie on a giant screen in another

01:27 environment, such as the desert or outer space.

01:30 And we also know that Apple is working with top Hollywood directors like Jon Favreau to

01:34 create video content for the device.

01:36 But apparently there's much more in store with the Apple headset.

01:39 It will apparently run all iPad apps, as well as offer the ability to make FaceTime calls

01:45 using renders of your face and body, and extend your MacBook's display into the virtual realm,

01:50 all using a new platform called XROS.

01:53 A Bloomberg report says that Apple needs killer apps, and winning over developers will be

01:57 key to the headset's success.

02:03 One of the big rumored features of the Apple Reality Pro headset is that it will let you

02:07 decide whether you want a fully immersive VR experience or you want to see more of the

02:12 world around you.

02:13 You'll apparently be able to do just that using a built-in dial that's very similar

02:17 to the digital crown on the best Apple watches.

02:20 Doing this will enter you into an AR pass-through mode, which is where Apple really needs to

02:25 prove that its years of work around ARKit and augmented reality apps have paid off.

02:30 Yes, the iPhone lets you experience AR, but this will be the first time you could do things

02:35 like virtually redecorate rooms in your house and identify stars in the night sky without

02:39 using your phone.

02:41 A Bloomberg report says that the Apple headset will have an external display that displays

02:46 your eyes and facial expression so people can still talk to you while you're wearing

02:50 the Reality Pro.

02:52 That sounds convenient, but also creepy.

02:57 As much as I enjoy using the MetaQuest 2 for short spurts, playing Beat Saber or Ping-Pong

03:01 for a few minutes, the design is clunky, heavy, and uncomfortable.

03:05 By contrast, the Apple Reality Pro is said to be as light as a pair of ski goggles, so

03:10 you should be able to wear it comfortably for hours at a time.

03:13 How much time?

03:14 Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo says that the Apple headset will offer two hours of battery life.

03:19 That's not very long, and apparently you will need to carry around an external battery

03:23 that presumably slips into your pocket.

03:25 I'm willing to live with that tradeoff if it means that the headset itself is super

03:29 sleek, at least for the first version.

03:35 Apple is big on making its own silicon, so it's not a surprise that the Apple headset

03:38 is tipped to offer similar power to the M.2 chip.

03:41 In fact, the Apple VR AR headset will apparently have two chips in it made by TSMC.

03:47 One of these will likely be a low-power chip to handle less demanding tasks.

03:51 Other rumored high-end specs include dual micro OLED displays and 12 cameras for advanced

03:57 tracking.

03:58 In other words, Apple's headset should be future-proof.

04:01 Apple clearly isn't aiming the Apple Reality Pro headset at the masses.

04:05 It will be designed for developers and early adopters willing to pay top dollar to get

04:09 a taste of the future.

04:10 But at least based on what we've heard so far, Apple's first foray into VR AR could

04:14 win over some skeptics.

04:16 If the three grand is too much for you, and it is for me, Apple is reportedly working

04:20 on a much more affordable VR AR headset for consumers.

04:24 Stay tuned for our full coverage of WWDC 2023 and our Apple VR AR headset hub for all the

04:30 latest rumors ahead of the big unveiling.

04:33 For Tom's Guide, this is Mark Spoonhauer.

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Apple VR/AR Headset - 5 Biggest Rumors | Tom's Guide

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