Apple is preparing to launch its elongated mixed reality headset this spring, Apple said a report of Bloombergby Mark Gurman. The company reportedly plans to unveil the device ahead of its Worldwide Developers Conference in June and will begin shipping this fall.
The headset, which could cost as much as $3,000, is expected to offer both virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) experiences using Apple’s new xrOS operating system. Gurman says Apple has already shown the Reality Pro-branded device to “a small number of high-profile” developers so they can begin making third-party apps for it.
Gurman’s prophecy comes true rumors from Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, which last week said development of the headset has been slowed “due to problems with mechanical component testing and the availability of software development tools.” He added that it “looks more likely” that Apple will announce the headset at a spring media event or at WWDC.
But there are still “many bottlenecks to fix” with the device’s hardware, software and services, Gurman says, and this is slowing down Apple’s other projects. We may see a quieter year for new releases as a result, and it may also be why Apple fell short of its goal of moving away from Intel chips within two years.
Apple also expects to unveil a new HomePod this year, but Gurman says “don’t expect anything revolutionary from it.” It might come with a lower price, an updated touch control panel and an S8 chip. Other devices, such as an updated 24-inch iMac and a new line of iPad Pros equipped with OLED displays, are not expected to arrive until next year, while iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 could feature more subdued upgrades.
