Apple‘s long-rumored mixed reality headset is reportedly set to be unveiled this spring, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. The company is said to have shared the headset with a small group of developers, giving them a sneak peek at its new “xrOS” software. The launch of the headset is expected to coincide with the announcement of “Reality Pro” in the spring, with the device itself set to be released in the fall.
The announcement of the mixed reality headset will have an impact on the rest of Apple’s product lineup for the year. Gurman predicts that the next version of the company’s iOS operating system will have “fewer major changes than originally planned,” as software engineers have been reassigned to work on the xrOS team. Similarly, the next version of macOS, macOS 14, is also expected to have fewer new features.
In terms of hardware, there are no significant updates planned for the iPad, Apple Watch, or audio lines. Gurman notes that new iPad Pro models with OLED displays are in the works, but they are not expected to be released until 2024. The upcoming Apple Silicon MacPro is also predicted to be “another disappointment,” featuring the same design as its 2019 predecessor and not allowing for user-upgradeable RAM due to the architecture of Apple’s M-series chipsets.
The only bright spots in Apple’s product lineup for the year are expected to be a new 15-inch MacBook Air and the iPhone 15. The entire iPhone 15 line is rumored to feature Apple’s new Dynamic Island feature and USB-C charging, with the Pro models also boasting titanium frames and haptic volume buttons.
It remains to be seen whether the mixed reality headset will be a success for Apple. The company has a history of entering new markets and revolutionizing them, as it did with the iPod, iPhone, and iPad. However, the mixed reality market is a relatively untested one, and it remains to be seen how well the technology will be received by consumers. Regardless, the launch of the mixed reality headset is an exciting development for Apple and for the tech industry as a whole.
