Apple is expected to announce the release of a mixed reality headset at its annual developers conference, which will take place on Monday in Cupertino, California. The headset has been the subject of rumours for several years, and it is anticipated that it will offer users the opportunity to interact with both the virtual and real worlds. The device is expected to be called “Reality Pro” and will be the latest in a long line of game-changing products from the tech giant.
The challenge of mixed reality
While the headset is expected to be sleek in design and offer users a choice between virtual and augmented reality, it is also expected to come with a hefty price tag of around $3,000. This may limit its appeal to all but the most affluent technophiles and could mean that the headset becomes a niche product. This would be a similar fate to that of other tech companies that have attempted to sell headsets or glasses equipped with technology that either thrusts people into artificial worlds or projects digital images onto real-world objects, known as “augmented reality”.
The concept of mixed reality is still in its infancy, and despite Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg’s attempts to push the “metaverse” into the mainstream, it remains a digital ghost town. Apple executives are likely to avoid referring to the metaverse, given the skepticism that has developed around that term.
Apple CEO Tim Cook has been a vocal proponent of augmented reality in recent years, but has not set a specific timeline for when it will gain mass appeal. Cook has likened the impact of augmented reality to the internet, stating that “you’ll wonder how you led your life without augmented reality”. However, the response to virtual, augmented, and mixed reality has been lukewarm so far, with some products, like Google’s internet-connected glasses, being derisively mocked.
The release of Apple’s mixed reality headset is likely to be met with anticipation, but also with some trepidation. The device will have to answer some key questions, including what people can do with it, how it looks and feels, whether it is comfortable to wear, and how much it will cost. While the technology is expected to be impressive, the high price point may limit its appeal.
Despite this, it would be unwise to dismiss Apple’s ability to find a “killer application” for mixed reality. The tech giant has a long history of producing game-changing products, from the Mac in 1984 to the iPhone in 2007 and the Apple Watch in 2014. The iPhone, in particular, was not an immediate sensation, with fewer than 12 million units sold in its first full year on the market. Apple’s mixed reality headset may follow a similar trajectory, and could potentially become a must-have device in the years to come.
Apple’s mixed reality headset is one of the most highly anticipated tech products of recent years. While the technology is expected to be impressive, the high price point may limit its appeal to all but the most affluent consumers. However, Apple’s track record of producing game-changing products suggests that it would be unwise to write off the potential of the mixed reality headset just yet.
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