Rumors about a supposed Apple VR/AR headset have been with us for several years. Now an older prediction has been confirmed again.
Renowned Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicts that Apple's headset with augmented reality capabilities will be released in the second quarter of 2022. The device is expected to be a development tool and a stepping stone towards Apple Glasses. In his letter to investors, Kuo refers to Genius, a key Apple supplier that manufactures iPhone lenses - and is expected to also supply lenses for Apple's AR headset. Kuo describes the supposed VR/AR device as an HMD - or Head Mounted Display.
We believe that Apple will launch an AR HMD device in 2Q22. The device will provide a video-based AR experience, so the corresponding lens will also be needed. Genius will be a key supplier in this. We believe that Largan cannot currently design and produce lenses for HMD. If Largan wants to enter the lens market for HMD, it will be in 2023 at the earliest.
Apple VR/AR headset: With up to 15 cameras?
The headset is expected to offer both virtual and augmented reality experiences, the latter of which will obviously require cameras. But Apple is also expected to use eye tracking to enhance the experience, which will require cameras on both the inside and outside. Kuo has previously stated that the device will have up to 15 cameras.
Why are so many cameras needed? In addition to collecting data from the outside world, Apple is also said to be closely tracking the user's eye movements. This will allow them to increase apparent fidelity by targeting only what the user is currently looking at, rather than the entire human field of view. This technique is called "foveated rendering."
Interestingly, Apple already has a corresponding patent that covers this technology. The patent basically refers to the video recording of the entire experience, namely the real environment overlaid with the AR content. Kuo believes that the headset will cost around a thousand dollars. Bloomberg, on the other hand, estimates the price to be much higher. (Photo by ntl / Bigstockphoto)
