The headset is designed to feature support
for both augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) with support for
motion detection. According to recent reports, the company’s Mixed Reality
headset is also expected to work without a connected iPhone. Despite several
leaks suggesting the device’s capabilities, it’s worth noting that Apple hasn’t
revealed any details about its plans for a wearable AR/VR headset just yet.
New concept renders shared by Zelbo show
the rumored AR/VR headset from three different angles. Zelbo has dubbed the
headset “Apple View”, but there is no indication that Apple intends to use the
same name for its headset.
This isn’t the first time a mixed reality
headset has been spotted featuring this design – a sketch from The Information
earlier this year showed the headset with a similar design. The design of the
Mixed Reality Headset renders appears to be inspired by the same images,
including the blue headband.
As mentioned earlier, Apple hasn’t
announced any plans for AR and VR headsets in the coming year. However, noted
Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes that Apple’s mixed reality headset may
arrive in 2022, and sport a micro-OLED display. According to Kuo, the headset
could feature support for AR and VR, and could launch in the fourth quarter of
2022.
While Apple’s mixed reality headsets
previously required a connected iPhone to operate, Kuo previously said that AR
headsets can have two powerful chips, allowing them to work independent of the
iPhone. The first chip is expected to have comparable performance to the M1
chipset on last year’s Macs, while the second chip is tipped to handle the
sensors on the device.
According to Kuo, the headset could come
with support for Micro-OLED display and could feature powerful 3D sensors with
gesture and motion detection.
While the headset is expected to cost more,
Kuo suggests that Apple may replace the iPhone with AR in the next decade, and
that the company needs to sell “at least a billion AR devices” to replace its
popular smartphone. Will be next decade.