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.
With Sony cutting production plans for the PS VR2 and the Meta Quest Pro estimated to ship at 300,000 units, Kuo believes there is "insufficient evidence" that AR/VR headsets could become the next big thing in consumer electronics. As the AR/VR headset's unveiling draws closer, there is growing skepticism about whether Apple will unveil a product that people will actually want to buy.
Some Apple employees are skeptical
In late March, the New York Times quoted Apple employees as expressing concern about the headset's utility and price. Some wondered if the device was a "solution to a problem," unlike the iPhone and iPad. There were also concerns that it would not have the same clarity as other Apple devices. Apple CEO Tim Cook said earlier in the week that there had been "a lot of skeptics" about everything the company had done, but that Apple had succeeded regardless. "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 pieces from others," and the company 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)
