Speculated Features of Apple's VR/AR Headset (2022)
Design:
Lightweight and ergonomic design focused on long-duration comfort.
Adjustable straps to fit various head sizes, with a soft inner cushion to improve comfort.
Advanced optics and lenses to provide a high-quality, immersive experience.
Dual-display setup: Speculated to use two high-resolution OLED or Micro-LED displays, one for each eye, for true 4K visuals.
Audio & Sound:
Spatial Audio integration for immersive sound.
Built-in speakers or audio pods around the head for a rich surround sound experience, possibly paired with dynamic head-tracking.
Processing:
Apple Silicon Chips: Likely powered by an Apple M-series chip (such as M1 or M2) for processing power.
Graphics: Expected to support high-end AR/VR content with impressive graphics processing for both entertainment and professional use.
User Interaction:
Eye-tracking to enable intuitive controls and eye-driven focus.
Hand gesture controls with sensors to allow users to interact with virtual objects and navigate interfaces.
Voice Commands: Integration of Siri and voice control features for hands-free operation.
Camera & Sensors:
Advanced sensors and cameras for inside-out tracking (tracking user movements without external cameras).
LiDAR Scanner for improved AR experiences and depth-sensing capabilities.
360-degree cameras for spatial awareness and VR content capture.
Battery:
External battery with possibly 2-3 hours of continuous use.
Wireless charging or MagSafe charging compatibility.
Connectivity:
Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth for fast connectivity with Apple devices.
USB-C or Lightning port for wired connections, data transfer, and charging.
Software:
visionOS (rumored): A new operating system specifically designed for AR/VR experiences.
Apple ecosystem integration: Seamless synchronization with iPhone, iPad, MacBook, and other Apple devices.
Price in UAE (Rumored):
Given that Apple's headset was expected to be a premium product, the price of the VR/AR headset in 2022 was speculated to be in the premium range. However, since the product wasn't officially released by 2022, accurate pricing wasn't available.
Based on early leaks and market expectations, it was anticipated that:
Apple VR Headset (2022): AED 7,000 - AED 10,000 (approx.), depending on features and configurations.
Apple's VR/AR Strategy (2022):
Apple's 2022 strategy focused on the development of AR (Augmented Reality) rather than full VR products. They released ARKit updates to improve AR functionality on iPhones and iPads. Developers were encouraged to create immersive AR experiences, leveraging the LiDAR scanner on the iPhone 12 Pro and later models.
It was widely believed that Apple was planning to release a mixed-reality device with a strong emphasis on AR capabilities and VR immersion. This device was speculated to launch in 2023, which eventually materialized as the Apple Vision Pro.