Could Apple’s Upcoming VR/AR Headset Look Like This?
Rumors are rife that Apple’s VR/AR headset is set to arrive in 2022. Based on what we know so far, what might it look like? Here are some renders created by AppleInsider based on recent rumors that have come out so far.
The Apple VR headset will mark the company’s debut into a mixed reality future. It is expected that it will borrow from some of the design elements seen in Apple’s existing product line, making the device not only fashionable but also comfortable.
A report by The Information included a description of an alleged prototype of the virtual reality headset. According to the report, the device will be sleek and will feature a curved visor sitting on the user’s face with a mesh material and this is connected by swappable headbands.
Based on that description, the curved visor might look like the Apple Watch glass enclosure. The mesh might be something like the padding in the AirPods Max while the bands could be similar to the Apple Watch sports band. Of course, this is all conjecture and we will only get to know what the headset actually looks like when it is finally unveiled sometime next year if the rumors prove to be true.
According to industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the initial device will weigh under a pound and future models might even weigh a lot less.
Weight is a major metric in virtual reality because long VR sessions can cause discomfort when the headset is too heavy. The advent of the metaverse means users will spend several hours in virtual reality.
An AppleInsider render of the possible Apple headset features the use of lightweight materials and a head strap that is designed to distribute the weight of the headset on the wearer’s head. Apple has the AirPods Max which are heavy aluminum headphones but the headband design distributes the weight making it less noticeable during use. Such a design might translate to Apple’s upcoming virtual reality headset.
Initial reports about Apple’s new virtual reality headset suggested that they would leverage the iPhone to process the device’s software. However, according to recent rumors, Apple’s device might be a standalone device. A Ming-Chi Kuo report stated that the device would feature M1-level processing to handle high-end applications as well as development.
This kind of power would come in handy for developers looking to create next-generation AR and VR experiences. Apple’s debut headset may serve as a stepping stone for developing content for Apple’s Apple Glass AR headset.
This will be a virtual reality-first headset but the design might also implement cameras capable of overlaying augmented reality objects onto the real world. Apple’s upcoming virtual reality headset may, therefore, be a mixed reality device depending on the apps being used. The device could feature alternate virtual reality, augmented reality, and mixed reality modes that would be perfect for building experiences for all Apple devices.
The device could also feature a secondary processor that would be suited for sensor tracking. There is also a rumored LiDAR sensor system that would be ideal for tracking a user’s hands without the need of a controller although the device could still allow for controllers to be paired to realize precise control as well as gaming experiences.
It is rumored that the Apple AR/VR device will be priced at between $1,000 and $3,000. In line with Apple’s current product line, the device will certainly be ultra-premium and is likely to cost more than many of its competitors.
The Apple VR headset is expected to launch in 2022.
Below are additional AppleInsider renders of what Apple’s headset might look like.
