Apple’s long-rumored Apple VR Headset wasn’t a secret at all. They filed the patent more than 10 years ago. Apple is rumored to be working on it secretly for a long time. This year very reliable & strong leaks have come to the surface that breaks down the secret which Apple was keeping for a long time. We finally got some solid mind-blowing details about it that clear Apple’s distant vision for AR/VR technologies. So, let’s talk about what we know about Apple VR Headset.
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What Is So Special About Apple VR Headset?
Here are some features of Apple VR headset that makes it special.
Apple VR Headset: Lighter than an iPhone
Well, according to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the Apple VR headset will adopt a hybrid Fresnel lens design. In simple terms, it means this design is going to make the Apple VR headset one of the lightest VR headsets ever. Kuo says this headset would weigh less than 150 grams. Weighting 150 grams makes the Apple VR headset lighter than iPhone 12, which weighs 164 grams.
Now for a moment, if we take a look at the competition – Microsoft’s HoloLens 2 (645 grams) and Oculus Quest 2 (503 grams) weights much higher. Apple VR headset will make other VR headset’s weight look like an old thing.
This lightweight of Apple’s VR headset will surely help it for being used for longer sessions. We can estimate that with this lightweight approach, Apple is visioning the use of VR headsets in daily life as a mobile phone.
8K Displays right in front of your eyes
Apple’s VR headset, codenamed “N301”, will reportedly have two high-resolution 8K displays to look into. With a total of 16K resolution, this VR headset will give you the most immersive VR experience. And also, the displays are Micro-OLED. Isn’t it amazing?
Let’s talk about what’s even more amazing – remember the Fresnel lens design? It will make the focal length of the plastic lenses in this VR headset extremely short and will give you a more immersive experience with a wider field of view.
It is said that the Apple VR headset will be featuring advanced eye-detecting technology, quipped cameras, and some more cameras to the outside, to track your hand movements and the surroundings around you with much better accuracy. The headset is said to respond to the wearer’s eye movements and also it has some advanced controls using the hand gestures of the wearer.
To this point, it’s looking like the Apple VR headset is pretty futuristic, but Apple has more to put into it. The headset will aim at connecting Virtual Reality to our surroundings as if they are a part of it. And with the headset’s advanced sensors and immersive feel, we believe in it.
Mixed Reality Concept
Apple’s VR headsets are not only just a VR headset, it will be a mixed reality headset much more like Microsoft’s HoloLens. A recent report from Bloomberg says that Apple’s VR headset will have some impressive augmented reality capabilities. It will make you interact with the 3D elements of VR like the real world.
There isn’t much insight into what mixed reality features it could have. But we have seen the sheer improvement in AR, which made us interact with VR elements through our phones. Then, we can only imagine what Apple’s VR headset could do with its mixed reality capabilities.
Under the hood & the software feel
Apple is rumored to be working on a custom-designed chip for its VR headset. We have seen in the past that Apple uses its own custom chips for its every product line for the maximum performance to efficiency ratio. We can expect the same here that Apple’s VR headset will be much faster than its competitors and the processor will also help the VR headset in achieving some of its goals.
So, as we come to the software side of Apple’s VR headset, there are not many details on it. But according to several reports, the headset will have VR specific App Store aimed at gaming, multi-media, and some other special kind of apps & games. It will be integrated with Apple TV+ and Apple Arcade for a seamless experience. We can only wait for its release to know more.
When it comes & for how much
We have seen the staggering specs sheet of Apple’s VR headset. Now it’s time for its possible pricing & release date. The Apple VR headset is said to be priced around $3000 which will make it one of the most expensive VR headsets but Apple always nails the price with its offering.
The Apple headset would still be lesser expensive than Microsoft’s HoloLens but will be expensive when compared to Facebook’s latest offering. There are some controversies over its release. Some reports say it will be released in 2022.
But according to some latest reports, it could release much soon in 2021 in an in-person event, because Apple wants the media, its partners, and the developers in one room to showcase the VR device’s capability closely.
Verdict
So, did you like where Apple is going with its vision? Our favorite feature for the Apple VR headset will be the lightweight that would make it so comfortable; and easy to wear for longer sessions. The design which makes it accessible to almost every situation is a huge plus to it. We can think this VR headset would be the Steve Jobs’ iPhone of the VR era. Despite its high price the headset really stands out from what we currently have in the market. So, it would be groundbreaking if it manages to stand on its expectations.