Apple’s commitment to its augmented reality device will be an ambitious move. So much so that, according to Gurman, they want to end up selling close to a million devices in their first year. As reflected in Bloomberg, Apple’s concept will be to introduce us to an interface very similar to iOS, in 3D, and with some differential technologies compared to direct rivals, such as the Oculus from Meta.
the interface. Apple likes consistency between its interfaces. Saving the distances between macOS and iOS, the design language is similar between their products. iOS is usually a good base to draw certain lines of consistency in other products, such as watchOS or Apple CarPlay. xrOS, the operating system for the Reality Pro, will also be an operating system based on the iOS interface. The grid will be “almost identical to the iPhone”, with a grid home screen that we can readjust at will.
Apple’s idea is to be able to access its operating system in 3D, in the most immersive way possible and with what most characterizes Apple products: being intuitive. This environment will include apps like Safari, Photos, mail, messages, as well as services like Apple TV +, and third-party solutions.
Augmented reality, virtual reality. Apple wants a product that integrates the best of both technologies. It will be a virtual reality device, in which we can see images and content (video, games, navigation, etc). But it will also be an augmented reality device.
This is based on the projection of images on the real world itself, so the possibilities are expanded. Apple has been working on augmented reality for some time thanks to the iPhone’s LiDAR sensors, although the implementation has not yet been massive.
The hardware and the operation. According to Gurman, these glasses with headphones will have a system of multiple cameras capable of analyzing the movement of the users’ hands. In the same way, it will have sensors inside to control and track eye movements. This will allow the user to trigger actions just by looking at items on the screen.
In the same way, Apple wants its glasses not to depend on external controllers (controls that we have to use with our hands). It will be enough to make gestures with our own hands, such as pinch to activate tasks, without the need for additional hardware to the glasses themselves.
This device, according to said information, will have two ultra-high resolution screens, developed by Sony. In the event that we use prescription lenses, it will be possible to customize them to make this adaptation to our sight. Like the Apple Watch, they will have a digital crown, which will allow you to switch between augmented reality and mixed reality.
In the event that we need to enter text, we can use Siri, our iPhone or even a Mac or iPad. However, it will not be a device dependent on the iPhone, we can use it without connection to it. It is expected to have its own chip derived from the M2 itself that we have seen in the latest Macs, as well as a second chip under the name of “Reality Processor” dedicated to the graphics section.
A good autonomy. Apple wants autonomy to be an important pillar in its device. Gurman warns of a capacity close to 9,000mAh, described as “the battery of two iPhone 14 Pro Max, stacked one on top of the other.” The charge will be through the USB-C port.
The offer of services. Apple is working with companies like Disney and major video game developers to provide a significant offering of titles at product launch.
Apple is greedy for revenue. This will not be a minor move for Apple. Currently, the iPhone accounts for more than 52% of its total revenue, followed by its service offer, which is close to 20%. Apple wants to reduce dependence on the iPhone with this augmented reality device, making it both a standalone product and a peripheral to the Mac.
Gurman affirms that this device can be used, among other things, as an external monitor for the Mac, being able to see its screen through the viewfinder while we control it with a physical keyboard or trackpad. In short, a product that will be born to be central to the Apple ecosystem, and with interaction with the rest of the services. The glasses are suffering significant delays, and the estimated date remains uncertain (they were expected for January), although with the hope of seeing them during this 2023.
Fuente | Bloomberg
