Apple's XR headset may be ready for launch - report
Apple's fabled mixed reality headset has reportedly been unveiled to the board. A potential sign that the launch could happen soon.
The board is made up of eight members, including Apple CEO Tim Cook. The executives meet at least four times a year.
At the most recent meeting, held last week, the long-in-development mixed reality headset was unveiled, Bloomberg writes, citing sources close to the company.
This is an indication that the device has reached an "advanced stage," according to Bloomberg. The report does not mention how board members reacted to the hardware.
Apple headset: plagued by delays
It is said that development on the underlying operating system rOS ("RealityOS") has accelerated in recent weeks. This fact and the presentation of the device suggest that the market launch could take place within the next few months.
The hardware, codenamed N301, has been in development since 2015 and is expected to be unveiled at the end of the year or in 2023 and hit the market next year, according to current plans.
A postponement would be nothing out of the ordinary: originally, the headset was supposed to be unveiled in 2019 and go on sale in 2020. At least two other postponements followed.
Meta probably gets ahead of Apple
A recent report from The Information provided insight into the first phase of development through 2018, which was marked by internal disagreements. A second, not yet published article is supposed to follow the development history up to the present.
According to Bloomberg, about 2,000 professionals are working on the mixed reality headset. Overseeing the development is Apple's former hardware chief Dan Riccio, who has also overseen the development of the iPod, Mac, iPad and iPhone. The department is located a few miles from Apple's headquarters.
The headset, which is said to be capable of both VR and AR, would be Apple's first major new product category since the Apple Watch in 2015. The competition isn't waiting: Meta is releasing a similar high-end product this year with Project Cambria (info). Microsoft and Samsung, as well as Google with Project Iris, are also reportedly working on mixed reality headsets.
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