Happening today! Apple WWDC 2023 Promises Mind-Blowing Apple VR Headset, Game-Changing iOS 17, and Beyond

What’s Happening?

The much-anticipated Apple WWDC 2023 is happening today, and everyone is eagerly awaiting the launch of the new Apple VR headset along with a lot of other big announcements on offer. There is a lot of hype surrounding VR but as Meta’s — the parent company of Facebook, venture into the world of Mixed Reality showcased, with losses of around $3 Billion, nobody has quite done it right. The cryptic invitation to the event sent by Apple point towards an XR headset in the offing. Although at first glance it looks like just an RDB illustration of Apple’s HQ, it can also be construed as sort of lens arrays that appear in XR headsets.

Meta: Jumping on the Hype train

It was quite apt for Meta to show off its latest headset, the Meta Quest 3, just days before Apple’s launch. Probably to feed off the hype surrounding Apple’s foray into the VR headset market. The Meta Quest 3, priced at $499, promises higher quality displays and resolution, will become available in the fall with more details coming at a Meta conference scheduled in September, Mark Zuckerberg — CEO, Meta wrote. The Quest 3 will be a direct competitor of the Apple VR Headset and is aiming to enhance the mixed reality experience by providing 3 front cameras.

Apple’s VR Headset: What we know so far (allegedly)

The Apple VR Headset is expected to be launched at the WWDC23 happening today June 5th at Apple Park, 10 AM Pacific Time. The Apple Headset project is one of the worst kept secrets of the Silicon Valley with Apple, reportedly, working on the product for more than 8 years. Tim Cook, CEO of Apple, wanted to get things just right for what is going to be a defining product of his CEOship.

1. The name is Reality Pro, as per the trademark filings, and multiple leaks.

2. It will feature two high-resolution 4K micro-OLED displays with upto 3,000 pixels per inch for an immersive viewing experience.

3. It will run on “xrOS”, a new operating system designed specifically for the headset.

4. Multiple 3D sensing modules for detecting hand gestures and objects.

5. A dozen cameras, built into the headset to track hand & eye movements.

6. A Facetime experience will use the cameras to project a person’s full face and body into a virtual environment for one-on-one calls along with other apps like Calendar, Mail, Safari etc.

7. To cut down on the weight of the headset there will be an external battery pack worn at the waist rather than an integrated battery built into the device.

8. The initial price for the headset is set around $3,000

9. Users will be able to swap between AR and VR views with AR features using external cameras to display the user’s surroundings inside the headset.

10. Sony is expected to supply the display modules that Apple will use for a total of 8K resolution.

What’s with the hype?

Although, there have been quite a few forays by tech giants such as Meta, Microsoft and other electronics companies such as HTC, Oppo and Magic Leap to crack the XR-Headset code. No one has been able to get things right.

Apple, however, has the uncanny ability to redefine existing hardware categories (Smartphones, Smart Watches, Headphones, Mp3 Players) and this might prove to be the same, a game changer, for the mixed reality industry allowing for further advancement in the Mixed Reality space. The Reality Pro launch is to be supplemented by the release of a cheaper version in 2024 as a direct competition to the Meta Quest 3.

Verdict

The Reality Pro, just like most of, Apple’s offerings can be a game changer for the XR industry but its still to be seen how the xrOS will integrate with other Apple products and what the immersive experience of the VR headset will be? Will it be Reality One, Reality Pro or something entirely different? The wait is not too long. Only hours left to one of the biggest announcements and releases to happen in the XR space this year. Keep watching this space for more news and updates.

Ideofuzion is a leading Web 3, Metaverse and XR Solutions Provider. With a core focus in Blockchain Development, GameFi Development, Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality for Decentralized Applications (DApps), Enterprise Blockchain Solutions and E-Governance Solutions. We are a Web 3 | Metaverse | XR progressive organization with more than a decade’s experience in making cutting edge decentralized solutions. We are Empowering the Decentralized World.