On Apple’s Upcoming Headset

On Apple’s Upcoming Headset(daringfireball.net)

20 points by joshus 3 years ago | 9 comments

When I read critical opinions about Meta’s VR/AR and the rumored Apple headset, I agree in the short term, but eventually VR and business AR applications will be huge.

I worked in VR in the late 1990s, being one of the founders of the SAIC virtuality lab, then games and VR for Nintendo and Disney (via Angle Studios). The Quest 2 is such an improvement, and does not require a $250K Silicon Graphics Realty Engine.

My main field of work since the early 1980s has been AI, and I feel like I have learned patience. I think that some things are difficult to develop and we need to be grateful for steady progress.

I am 71, and if I am fortunate enough to live another 10 years (my Dad is 101 so wish me luck!) then I fully expect comfortable VR and AR gear that can be worn for hours in near perfect comfort, the graphics will be better than human vision can fully exploit, simulation software will be near-perfect and all types of AI will have improved to entertain us, help us in our work, and technology will be more “ready at hand”, tools that are so good they blend into the background of our lives.

algebra-pretext 3 years ago |

> But the fundamental question remains: What’s the point?

The only way I could see this being marketed is maybe as a Mac display extension; Meta apps like Immersed show that the idea could be really great with better hardware. Gaming doesn’t make sense, and AR doesn’t really make sense either. If this thing is real it’s definitely not intended for the iPhone audience

TechnicolorByte 3 years ago | |

Agree with this perspective. As rumored, this headset seems totally un-Apple-like in both form and purpose. It has the same general problem as with all VR headsets: they’re bulky, uncomfortable, and expensive.

So I can only see this being geared toward developers and enthusiasts to get a head start on developing killer VR and especially AR apps, which will be useful when the technology allows for lightweight headsets and glasses. Apple’s been rumored to be developing AR glasses for a while now.

Regardless, I’m very keen to see Cook and co. get up on stage and present their vision since they’re still the largest influence in consumer tech trends.

wildpeaks 3 years ago |

If it uses RealityKit, then it will probably have a way to use pure Metal as well (which is good because the scope of what RealityKit can do is more limited compared to their other engines, although I'm quite fond of it myself, been working with it daily for almost two years at this point).

ThrowawayR2 3 years ago |

He seems oddly hung up about the external battery pack. I would have thought moving weight out of the headset would make it more comfortable for wearing in lengthy sessions?

bobx11 3 years ago | |

We are a family of four. Our oculus quest is awesome but batteries don’t last for 4 people in a row playing with it. In that case we use a normal usb battery pack in a belt and a wire up to the headset. It’s a compromise but you barely feel it when you’re dodging things. The headset is already heavy enough so the wire is also barely felt.

IMO External battieries will make it less weighty on your head which will reduce fatigue from long time wear.

rchaud 3 years ago | |

I think he has a point. Apple is known for sleekness, and wearing a fannypack wired to a headset is going to look bulky and ugly. No personal electronic product made in the past 15 years has needed the user to do that.

This is Apple, at the barest minimum it should be entirely wireless. This would be like if Jobs presented the iPhone with a honking big Blackberry style keyboard. Half the magic would be gone.

bentt 3 years ago |

I could see this thing getting shelved. Feels like the Lisa.

chadlavi 3 years ago |

Agree with basically everything he's saying. If any of these rumors are true this is going to be one weird, expensive, uncomfortable flop.