Apple is planning to launch in 2020 a standalone wireless headset that combines both virtual reality and augmented reality technology,
The development of augmented reality is high on the list of priorities for Apple, as previously revealed by CEO Tim Cook. The rumored VR/AR headset shows just how important the technology is to the company, following rumors that Apple has a secret team working on it.
Apple VR/AR Headset In The Works
According to an inside source, Apple is working on a headset that combines virtual reality and augmented reality but does not require to be connected with a computer or smartphone, CNET reported.
The source provided several details regarding the device, which carries the codename T288 and may be much more advanced compared to its competitors in the industry upon launch.
T288 is said to be offering an 8K display for each eye, for a resolution that is higher than some of the best TVs in the market. Such a feature already places it ahead of the competition, as the HTC Vive Pro, already sharper than most of the other VR headsets, only offers up to 1,440 x 1,600 pixels per eye.
One of the complaints for high-performance virtual reality headsets is the prevalence of wires, but such a problem will not be present in the T288. It will be completely wireless, connecting to its dedicated box through a high-speed, short-range wireless technology.
The headset's box, which resembles a PC tower but will not be an actual Mac computer, will be powered by a custom Apple processor that will be more powerful than all other chips currently available. The chip is expected to use 5-nanometer technology, which is half the size of the process that was used on the A11 Bionic chip of the iPhone X.
Lastly, the T288 will not require the installation of cameras or base stations to detect the location of the wearer, like the HTC Vive. All that the user needs to enjoy the technology are the headset and the box.
Apple VR/AR Headset Launch Date
The source claims that the T288 is still in the early stages of development. The currently targeted release date for Apple headset is in 2020, but plans for the device may still change, or perhaps even get canceled.
The wireless technology that Apple will use for the T288 is allegedly the 60 GHz WiGig. WiGig 2.0, or 802.11ay, is expected to be finalized by 2019, so a 2020 release date fits for the headset.
The 2020 launch date coincides with a previous report that Apple is working on an augmented reality headset that will be powered by new software named the reality operating system, or rOS.
