Apple has long been rumored to launch an AR/ VR headset though there has been not much information available in the public domain on it. Now, a report from TrendForce is claiming that the headset might come with a monthly subscription plan though there isn’t any indication of how much that might be.
The report also claimed Apple would be adopting a similar strategy with its AR/ VR headset as Microsoft did with its Hololens. If that be right, the Apple product will likely be targeted at the consumer segment to remain competitive as well as achieve the desired levels of profit margin. There has been healthy demand for both the Microsoft HoloLens as well as the Occulus from Facebook.
The report claimed Apple might offer a software service that forms part of its Apple One bundle with the device with the entire thing coming under a monthly subscription plan. That said, it isn’t known at the moment what service Apple would have for its headset that will make it stand out from the competition. As it is, the key features the headset is rumored to come with – communication and entertainment via gaming or media consumption are already offered via such Apple services like Apple Arcade, Apple TV+ and Apple Music, and FaceTime.
What is likely is that Apple will tune the above services to run optimally on the headset. The company has already been rumored to be working on the headset specific rOS or realityOS platform since 2017, one that is known to have the codename Oak within Apple. That such a platform does exist is evident given that references to the same have been found in the App Store upload logs and Apple open source code.
As for its expected launch window, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman believes that likely will happen around 2023. For reference, the Hololens starts at $3,500 even though Microsoft had earlier announced it would not be moving forward with the Hololens anymore.
With a keen interest in tech, I make it a point to keep myself updated on the latest developments in the world of technology and gadgets. That includes smartphones or tablet devices but stretches to even AI and self-driven automobiles as well, the latter being my latest fad. Besides writing, I like watching videos, reading, listening to music, or experimenting with different recipes. Motion picture is another aspect that interests me a lot and maybe I’ll make a film sometime in the future.