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Kuo: Apple Unlikely to Reveal Mixed Reality Headset at WWDC With a 2023 Launch Still Expected

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Apple is unlikely to announce its rumored mixed reality headset or its new AR/VR operating system at next week's WWDC with mass production of the device still some ways off, according to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

apple ar headset concept 2

Render via designer Ian Zelbo

In a pair of tweets on Tuesday, Kuo said he expected Apple's headset to launch in 2023, and that announcing it too early would see Apple's competitors "immediately kick off copycat projects" and release rival products before Apple's headset hits the shelves.

Kuo's thoughts echo the most recent report by Bloomberg journalist Mark Gurman in which he played down expectations that Apple would make a "full-blown announcement" of its headset at WWDC.

Signs of "realityOS," the long-rumored operating system believed to run on Apple's mixed-reality headset, were first spotted in Apple source code earlier this year, and rumors of Apple announcing its headset sooner rather than later were stoked at the weekend when a trademark for "realityOS" surfaced, with a foreign filing date deadline of June 8, 2022, just two days after the main WWDC keynote.

However, both Gurman and a practicing lawyer have since said that the trademark filing date deadlines are actually a legal requirement and that their closeness to WWDC is very likely mere coincidence.

Gurman previously reported that the launch of the headset will likely be delayed until 2023 following a plethora of development problems, including issues with overheating from at least one chip on par with the M1 Pro, as well as camera and software challenges.

Mac-related announcements are reportedly more likely at WWDC this year, according to Gurman, with the launch of a new MacBook Air with M2 chip one possibility, supply chain issues notwithstanding.

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Tag: Ming-Chi Kuo
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Related Forum: Apple Vision Pro

Top Rated Comments

Sir Ruben Avatar
Sir Ruben
50 months ago
I remember when the Apple TV (an actual Smart TV) was 'imminent' lol. Whenever it arrives we'll know about it from the hundreds of thirsty YouTubers who churn out videos with the standard shocked face thumbnails :rolleyes:
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
I
Ion-X
50 months ago
Apple Glass.
$3999.
You’re gonna love it.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
G
giggles
50 months ago
Yeah Apple is last-minute inviting (and during a covid resurgence at that) every tech influencer, every Apple podcaster, every youtuber and his dog to show them the new lock screen in iOS16.

It’s super important that they experience the new lock screen in person.

This will be a totally normal and even boring WWDC, that’s why they’re going out of their way to have press, influencers and some devs there, in a time when not even their employees are there in person most of the week.

Moreover, there will be plenty of opportunities to show off the VR headset in person during the year, it’s not like the pandemic and geopolitical tensions are unpredictable or something. They have every right and every reason to let this in person event go to waste.

I’m with Kuo on this one, keeping competitors from learning details they can already read in the plethora of published Apple patents about the headset (and probably hear from supply chain insiders) is more valuable than demoing it in person to the press or at least kicking off the development of apps for realityOS. There’s always WWDC 2023 for that, it would definitely be good for the headset to go half a year without third party software to speak of.

Again, you’ll hear nothing about realityOS and the Apple Vision headset next week.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
S
subjonas
50 months ago
Disappointing to hear. This is the rumored product that most has my curiosity right now. I’m extremely eager to see how this product will improve upon existing VR/AR products. I think there are a lot of great VR applications/potential for applications beyond games, but it’s had too much difficulty becoming mainstream for whatever reason. And AR has maybe even greater potential but AR headsets are barely even a thing. I'm hoping Apple’s product changes the game and brings both into the mainstream to really see the platforms develop.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
P
Psychicbob
50 months ago
Maybe they’ll release the flippers and the snorkel first. The goggles will come later
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
S
senttoschool
50 months ago
Work from home

Sorry but you can't make something as complicated as a breakthrough VR headset and vrOS when everyone is "working" from home or doing hybrid.

This is why Cook is so adamant about return to office.

Could your customer support rep work from home? Yea.

Could your VR headset team work from home? LOL.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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