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Rumor has it that Apple will use the upcoming Worldwide Developers Conference to unveil its long-rumored AR/VR headset.
According to renowned Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the presentation of the device will be an important milestone in Apple's efforts to convince investors that it will sell. writes Kuo in his latest article:
Apple's announcement is likely the last hope to convince investors that the AR/VR headset has a chance to become the next star product in consumer electronics.
Given that Sony has cut production plans for the PS VR2 and the Meta Quest Pro is estimated to ship at 300,000 units, Kuo believes there's "insufficient evidence" that AR/VR headsets could become the next big thing in consumer electronics. As the AR/VR headset's unveiling approaches, skepticism grows as to whether Apple will unveil a product people will actually want to buy.
Some Apple employees are skeptical
At the end of March, the New York Times quoted Apple employees as expressing concern about the headset's usefulness and price. Some questioned whether the device, unlike the iPhone and iPad, was a "solution to a problem." There were also concerns that it wouldn't have the same clarity as other Apple devices. Apple CEO Tim Cook said earlier this week that there had been "a lot of skeptics" about everything the company had done, but that Apple had still succeeded. "When you do something that's on the edge, there are always going to be skeptics," he said. Cook said Apple was "not interested in piecing together other people's parts" and wanted to "control the primary technology in the markets it enters."
Will the Apple AR/VR headset be presented at the WWDC 2023 keynote?
While Kuo hinted in late March that Apple's AR/VR headset might not be unveiled at WWDC as Apple has pushed back the timeline for mass production, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said on Sunday that Apple still plans to unveil the device at the 2023 WWDC keynote. Kuo has not retracted his guess and his report today does not provide any details on Apple's next event. Rumor has it that the AR/VR headset will feature 4K micro-OLED displays, dozens of cameras that capture everything from the user's surroundings to their gestures and facial expressions, a lightweight and comfortable fit facilitated by an external battery, and focus communication software. (Image: Apple)
