Apple’s mixed-reality headset is set to launch this year, but don’t get your hopes up just yet. The Apple AR/MR headset is expected to launch around the end of the second quarter or in the third quarter of this year, according to renowned analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. The Cupertino-based tech giant has been working on the long-rumoured device for more than three years, and they may finally be able to release it this year.
According to Kuo, the device is unlikely to be unveiled until the spring or by summer (just in time for WWDC), with a late fall delivery anticipated due to software development tools and ongoing drop testing concerns. Kuo previously forecasted a launch for the headset in January. However, according to his most recent tweets, Apple is still trying to complete the software tooling so that programmers may create apps for the new platform. This includes coming up with a new SDK and development environments.
He continued by saying that while being dropped, the headset was also having mechanical problems. This is and will continue to be a sore spot for the brand, and Apple will commit all of its resources to finding a quick solution. AR/MR headsets until now have had limited use cases with a niche audience. Apple is banking quite a bit on its product in the hopes of revolutionizing this product category.
The Information published a piece on the headset earlier this week that included their expectations for what the headset will actually be. This includes the report that Apple would demand that AirPods be utilised as the audio output when having private discussions, including when participating in video conferences.
According to the story, the long-rumoured device will also have a long list of features, such as a dial that resembles the Digital Crown for switching between virtual and real-world view modes and perhaps a power pack that is worn around the waist.
