Apple's mixed reality headset is not that ready for the public just yet.
The Cupertino, California-based tech giant is reportedly delaying its announcement of its AR/VR headset (or mixed reality headset) by some time to address the headset's remaining issues.
Apple previously planned to unveil the headset sometime in the middle of 2022 but decided to move it to Jan. and then April for undisclosed reasons, per Macrumors.
Apple Mixed Reality Headset Announcement New Details
Apple reportedly postponed the showcasing of its mixed reality headset to give its developers more time to fix hardware and software issues that still need to be fixed before doing so, per Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.
As a result, Gurman's sources, who asked not to be identified due to the plan's confidentiality, mentioned that Apple wants to introduce its mixed reality headset at its annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June instead.
After revealing the headset, Apple plans to continue working on it before officially launching it for sale later in the year. However, Gurman warns that the launch's timing could change again due to the new delay.
The company has been working on the headset since 2015 when it was creating the technology to accommodate both AR and VR in a single device. It previously planned to have it unveiled in June 2022 but decided to postpone it to Jan. 2023 to do so at an AR event, per Macworld.
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Regardless, Apple seems to want to have its mixed reality headset available for purchase by the end of 2023, if possible, to make it its headline product for 2023. Once released, the headset is expected to be priced at around $3,000, according to Ming-Chi Kuo, limiting its appeal to consumers and the people who can afford it.
Fortunately, Apple is reportedly developing a more affordable version of its mixed reality headset already, with it being priced closer to the Quest Pro by using cheaper components, per Engadget.
This more affordable version will likely come with hardware downgrades that would provide a watered-down experience from what the $3000 mixed reality headset provides, with it having a lower resolution, using fewer cameras, and slow processors, eliminating the need for internal fans.
This more affordable version is expected to launch sometime in 2024, but there has been no word about its price from Apple or its employees.
Why The WWDC?
Apple giving out hardware announcements during its WWDC event isn't something new, though it is usually when Apple reveals its roadmap for its desktop and mobile operating systems, per 9to5Mac.
You may remember that the company showcased a new MacBook Air with an M2 chip in WWDC 2022, while it announced it would be exclusively using its own silicon for its devices in WWDC 2020.
Additionally, Apple also revealed a new Mac Pro and Pro Display XDR in WWDC 2019, which were targeted at professional customers rather than its mainstream consumers due to their specifications.
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