According to a Bloomberg report, Apple has pushed back the release of its first mixed-reality headset from April to June, representing yet another setback for the company’s ambitious project.
Apple postpones the launch of its mixed reality headset until June
After delaying its release from April to June, Apple is now planning to reveal its first mixed-reality headset at its annual Worldwide Developers Conference. Testing revealed hardware and software problems that needed to be fixed, which led to the decision. The headset was originally scheduled to debut in June 2022, but Apple has been working on the technology since 2015. The most recent postponement was to spring 2023.
Since the launch of smartwatches in 2015, the mixed-reality headset—which combines virtual and augmented reality—would be Apple’s first significant new product category. Although the market is still unreliable and the business intends to price the new product at roughly $3,000, which is rather pricey, this could accelerate growth after a recent dip.
Apple’s latest revenue source: A mixed-reality headset
Apple had intended to introduce the mixed-reality headgear at a consumer launch event in early spring and then release additional information and development tools for outside software developers at the annual WWDC conference in June. Apple’s release of a mixed-reality headset could open up new revenue opportunities and lessen the company’s reliance on iPhone sales.
The company nevertheless intends to introduce the product later in the year after showcasing the entire device at the WWDC conference due to the delay. Sources claim that Dan Riccio, a former Apple hardware executive who now assists in managing the mixed-reality project, has increased his involvement in recent weeks to address outstanding concerns.
No significant changes to the iPad, AirPods, or Watch
According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple is committed to selling the mixed-reality headgear by the end of 2023, if not earlier. However, the exact date of the product’s debut is still a work in progress. With the business releasing a larger MacBook Air, an upgraded iPhone, and a new Mac Pro desktop, but only minor updates to its iPad, AirPods, and watch, it is expected to be the focus of Apple’s new product range for a rather underwhelming year.
However, the company has put off indefinitely the creation of standalone augmented reality glasses, which would be less cumbersome but necessitate the use of more cutting-edge technology that is not currently available. Additionally, in anticipation of future AR/VR headgear, the business appears to have changed the name of its mixed-reality software to “xrOS.”
Additionally, as early as 2024, Apple is reportedly intending to produce a less expensive model of the mixed-reality headset that will use cheaper and less powerful components.
