A source claims the company’s highly-anticipated mixed reality headset will prioritize shorter experiences.
Last year rumors began circulating that Apple is in development of its own combination VR/AR headset. As for when we can expect to get our hands on this long-rumored mixed reality device, some sources are reporting a potential 2022 release date, though the company has yet to comment.
That said, whileApple CEO Tim Cook has stated that AR technology is “critically important” for the company’s future, it appears as though they have little to no interest in the “metaverse,” aka the future of everything.
In Mark Gurman’s latest “Power On” newsletter for Bloomberg, the Apple and consumer tech expert claims that Apple has little to no interest in bringing the metaverse to its mixed reality hardware and will instead be focusing its efforts on delivering shorter experiences best enjoyed in small “bursts.” These experiences could include everything from interactive games to communication and navigation apps just to name a few.
“I’ve been told pretty directly that the idea of a completely virtual world where users can escape to – like they can in Meta Platforms/Facebook’s vision of the future – is off-limits from Apple,” said Gurman in his newsletter.
If true, Apple would be one of the few immersive technology companies uninterested in establishing its own virtual world. Whether it be social VR experiences like Meta’s Horizon Worlds, AR-based ecosystems such as Niantic’s Lightship AR Developer Kit, or NFT-powered platforms like The Sandbox, it’s hard to ignore the rising potential of the metaverse as a ground-breaking communication, marketing, and entertainment tool.
While little is known about Apple’s mysterious mixed reality device, rumors of a potential $1,000 price tag have begun to circulate. Hopefully, we’ll learn more during the company’s next virtual event which is expected to take place this March-April.
Feature Image Credit: MacRumors
