Apple Inc. is set to unveil its first mixed reality headset, which could pave the way for the “Post-iPhone” era. The company’s CEO, Tim Cook, will showcase the device, expected to retail at around $3,000, at the WWDC virtual event for developers on June 5.
The Reality headset is the culmination of a seven-year development process, which was hampered by technical challenges, internal disagreements, and the Covid-19 pandemic. Originally designed as a pair of augmented reality spectacles that could be worn all day, it evolved into a more substantial device resembling ski goggles and requiring a separate battery, according to insiders.
The device will support both virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR), allowing users to immerse themselves in digital worlds and view their environment through built-in video cameras. The Reality headset also features an external display showing the movement of the user’s eyes and expressions.
Apple envisions users wearing the headset throughout the day, making it a complete replacement for the iPhone or Mac for common tasks such as gaming, browsing the internet, email, video calling, collaboration, training, and even meditation. The company is collaborating with software, games, and entertainment firms to develop content for the device.
The Reality headset’s launch may be one of Cook’s last major moves as Apple CEO, and its success could impact his legacy. It is also the culmination of a multi-billion-dollar development process, and Apple aims to display how to create such devices from scratch to competitors.
Despite Apple’s history of rejecting existing technologies, doubts surround the Reality device. It diverged from Cook’s original vision, with his approach leading to delays and resource issues, according to employees. However, insiders claim that the company showcased the device to its top 100 managers in March 2023, and rumors of its public launch at the WWDC 2023 event are rife.
Apple has a history of disrupting the market with its innovative products, and the Reality headset is their latest foray. The world waits in anticipation, hoping that Apple can once again revolutionize the industry by unveiling something that was previously unimaginable.