TechEnvoke
Even though Apple hasn’t yet unveiled its first mixed-reality headset, the company is reportedly already at work on a second-generation model that will offer even more power and performance. That implies that the release of the replacement device might not be far off.
Reporter Mark Gorman for Bloomberg broke the news in his Power On newsletter. Grumman asserts that the first model of the headgear, most likely to be called Reality Pro, will include the same M2 processor that drives the most recent MacBook Air in addition to a different processor for handling augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) applications.
But, that chip “is not powerful enough to create graphics at a level Apple would prefer,” claims German. The reporter used the example of FaceTime calls made with the Reality Pro headset, which can only provide lifelike VR representations of callers during one-on-one conversations and falls back to Momiji during bigger gatherings.
A more powerful successor
What steps is Apple doing to address this? According to German’s newsletter, Apple is already working on a second-generation successor to the Reality Pro that will feature a more powerful processor, which might be the M3 or M4 chip. That ought to deliver graphics performance that is better and more in line with what Apple had in mind when designing the Reality Pro.
However, the time between the first and second Reality Pro headsets could not be that long if Apple has already begun developing that new model, as German claims. It would be worthwhile to hold off till the follow-up product if you are interested in the device and need top-notch performance.
This second-generation headset is different from the less expensive device Apple is also working on. In order to keep the price of the device, allegedly termed Reality One, below the $3,000 the Reality Pro is anticipated to cost, it will probably use less sophisticated CPUs and display technology.
Gorman thinks that Apple had intended the Reality Pro to be considerably more potent, for example by incorporating a “separate hub” that could generate superior performance and broadcast material across a room to the headset. However, Joni I’ve is said to have rejected such plan before quitting the organization in 2019.
No iPhone necessary
The Reality Pro could download your content directly from iCloud and might not need to be synced with an iPhone, according to the Power On email. But, you will be able to transfer data from an iPhone or iPad just like you would when first configuring a new Apple device.
German also described Apple’s ambitions to allow headset users to type on a virtual keyboard in midair. It is available in the current prototypes, however it seems to be a bit temperamental. When the device is released, which is anticipated to occur at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June, we’ll have to see how well it works.
Apple’s mixed-reality headset has had a rocky path, with tales of problematic features and missed launch dates all along the way. Yet, Apple is patenting a number of innovative headset-related ideas that might set it apart from rivals. When it is put in the spotlight at WWDC this summer, we’ll have to see if it impresses.