OPINION: The focus may be on the likes of the iPhone 13 and AirPods 3 ahead of Apple’s event on Tuesday, but I want to talk about an even more intriguing Apple product: its upcoming VR headsets.
Virtual reality is currently the hottest topic in technology, as Facebook is running out with Oculus Quest and Vive continuing to improve its headphones for enthusiasts. Rumors have long linked Apple to creating its own virtual reality headsets, with The Information suggesting it could include two 8K screens, more than a dozen cameras for manual tracking and an even more powerful chip than the Apple M1.
Sounds awesome, right? But new information reports indicate that Apple’s VR headsets will require a connection to an external device (such as an iPhone) to unlock their advanced features. The information (via 9to5Mac) also states that these virtual reality headsets could cost about $ 3,000.
I’ve seen Apple’s VR headsets compared to the Oculus Quest 2 recently, but in reality, these headphones couldn’t be more different. Facebook headphones only cost $ 299 and are mostly used for gaming. While Apple has yet to set out its intentions for its VR headsets, I highly doubt it will focus on gaming: when was the last time Apple released game-centric hardware?
At such an attractive price, the most likely scenario is for Apple to launch a virtual reality headset for the commercial market, similar to Microsoft’s HoloLens. Apple intends to work on augmented reality smart glasses, which are supposed to be launched after virtual reality headsets. It is very likely that Apple will only see its VR headsets as a way to encourage software development for Apple Glass.
This strategy makes a lot more sense for Apple, as AR can have many benefits for everyday consumers than virtual reality, at least outside of games. RA glasses can also work in conjunction with other Apple products, allowing you to check iPhone notifications without taking your phone out of your pocket.
Nor has Apple been silent about its interest in RA. “Virtual reality has some interesting applications, but I don’t think it’s a broad-based technology like RA,” Apple CEO Tim Cook said in an interview with Buzzfeed in 2016. “Augmented reality will take a while to to do well, but I think it’s deep. ”
It’s clear to see that virtual reality just doesn’t fit Apple’s interests for the consumer market. Of course, Apple has Apple Arcade, but it never shows any sign of seriously plunging into the enthusiastic gaming space currently occupied by VR headsets. And while virtual reality headphones can also be used for entertainment and social purposes, I doubt these experiences are worth it enough to justify buying a virtual reality headset. The failure of Oculus Go is proof of that.
So if Apple ends up joking about their new virtual reality headsets during Apple’s event on Tuesday, I advise you to be a little cautious – don’t expect it to be a rival to the Oculus Quest. Instead, it will pave the way for a very exciting future as Apple prepares to introduce AR smart glasses to the masses.
Ctrl + Alt + Delete is our opinion column focused on weekly computing where we delve into the world of computers, laptops, components, peripherals and more. You’ll find it at Trusted Reviews every Saturday afternoon.