Apple is reportedly launching its long-anticipated mixed-reality headset later this year. The company has been working on developing the headset for some time now, and the release has generated a lot of excitement and speculation among tech enthusiasts.
Apple to Launch Mixed-Reality Wearable
According to a News18 report, the upcoming MR headset will come equipped with health and wellness features, including exercise and meditation experiences. The device is said to feature an iOS-like interface similar to the look and feel of the iPhone and iPad.
This will make it familiar to Apple users, who can access many of the same functions on their iOS devices. The headset will also work as an external display for a connected Mac, letting users see their Mac's screen in VR and control it with a physical keyboard, trackpad, or mouse.
The same report tells us that the MR headset, dubbed "Reality Pro," is expected to switch between augmented and virtual reality. The device will include a customizable Home screen with app icons that users can rearrange and widgets.
Furthermore, video conferencing is expected to be a focus, with Apple introducing FaceTime-based video chatting capabilities and meeting rooms.
For interactive meetings, a user's face and full body will be rendered in virtual reality, with realistic avatars available for one-on-one chats. Meanwhile, FaceTime calls with multiple participants will use less detailed icons, such as Memojis.
What We Know About Apple's 'Reality Pro'
One of the headset's most impressive features, as noted by MacRumors, is a physical dial on its right side that enables quick switching between virtual and actual views. This feature is helpful for those who need to be aware of their surroundings while using the headset and makes it simple to exit the virtual world if necessary.
The headset will have a dial and tiny motors that automatically adjust the internal lenses to the wearer's interpupillary distance. This gives every user the broadest field of view possible and raises the level of immersion throughout the entire virtual experience.
Here are some more details from a recent Tech Times report:
- Apple has assembled a team of over 1,000 people to work on the company's AR and VR initiatives.
- The "Reality Pro" device has been in development for seven years. Its future requires a significant amount of time and effort.
- The device would cost around $3,000, twice the price of competing VR and AR headsets.
- The device would be released in the spring of this year, in the second quarter, and could be done through an event.
- The "Reality Pro" headset would include these eye- and hand-tracking features, as well as external cameras and a digital crown similar to the one found on the Apple Watch, to allow users to switch between AR and VR mode and highlight the XR experience.
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