Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch made its entrance pretty quietly which suggests that Apple is planning to revolve the whole consumer market with its upcoming product. This is one of the times when Apple releases a product without any keynote, earlier this month Apple also releases AirPods Pro without any keynote, this might be a clear indication that something big is coming soon.
Apple AR glasses might be the next step or “next big thing” for Apple to innovate as there are heavily invested in AR and developed some amazing kits like ARKit, Xcode development for AR and so on. So things might not new to expect a wireless headset for AR. According to the ever-questionable Digitimes, Apple is partnering with Valve on an AR headset product that would launch in the second half of 2020.
Many tech giants like Microsoft or Google already leading their path toward AR but all these devices are not yet for the true consumers. As it is expected that Apple might think about normal consumers and bring their AR headset for consumer-based rather than industry-based, unlike their competitors.
Digitimes says Quanta and Pegatron will be part of the AR headset’s production chain. Digitimes describes the AR headset as a “head-mounted display device”.
This leak also supports by Apple reputed analysts Ming-Chi Kuo as he said Apple would launch an AR headset in mid-2020 “in collaboration with third-party brands”. Perhaps, Valve is one such partner. Valve has already had pioneering technology of VR and AR for their gaming purpose or entertainment but true consumer usage will not able to perform on their headset. This extra bit so something could be provided by Apple to make Valve a true leader in consumer electronics.
Apple also hinted some code present in iOS 13 of a ‘plugin system’ in which the connected iPhone would communicate with a connected stereo AR headset using an appropriate app extension for the given hardware. This suggests Apple may announce more than one compatible third-party headset, even if it doesn’t unveil its own brand glasses just yet.
Apple AR yet not able to show any clear signal as to what Apple up to, but it might be the “next big thing” if Apple brings this technology into common hands. Or Apple might bring third-party headset that will be released first for some targeted use like AR games, and then Apple will follow up with the official Apple Glasses in future tears as the technology get matures. It will be interesting to see what Apple will incorporate in AR technology and bring AR to the mainstream.
