The wait is nearly over…

A long time in the making, the moment we've all been anticipating is just around the corner! Next week, Apple will unveil the Reality Pro headset at WWDC.

June 5th at 10 a.m. PT could mark a significant milestone in the tech industry. Over a decade of development has led to this point, and the excitement is unmistakable.

With a price tag of approximately $3000, the Reality Pro headset is likely to operate at a loss for Apple, yet they view it as a labor of love. The primary applications for this device are expected to be in gaming, entertainment, and collaborative work, alongside a focus on health, fitness, and wellness. Unlike Meta, Apple is poised to make rapid advancements in the mixed-reality domain thanks to its established infrastructure.

Apple’s Mixed Reality Headset already has 1 massive advantage

We are just two weeks away from a transformative period for Apple, and they have significant advantages on their side.

The company has already developed its TV+ platform, which has gained traction, particularly with its investments in live sports over recent years — a strategic move, as AR and live sports complement each other perfectly! Additionally, Apple Music is expected to enhance its offerings with live and interactive concerts. Don’t forget about Apple Fitness, which could revolutionize workouts with AR — provided the headset is lightweight enough for exercise.

In this final pre-event article, I’ll share the insights I’ve gathered from the brilliant Marcus Kane (Hyperware).

Here it is — the latest updates…

The hardware

Initially, the Reality Pro project aimed for lightweight glasses, but due to the current state of AR technology, we anticipate seeing lightweight goggles resembling streamlined ski gear next Monday. They are expected to weigh just under 300 grams, making them lighter than a pair of AirPods Max. This weight efficiency is partly due to a tethered battery pack that can be mounted on the hip or shoulder, connected by a magnetic connector.

The display technology will be remarkable. The Sony mini LED-backlit micro OLED panels will offer 4K resolution per eye, featuring custom Pancake optics, a 120-degree field of vision, 4000 PPI, and an impressive brightness of around 5000 nits! The lenses will provide 30 pixels per degree (PPD), which is half of what the human eye can perceive, but Apple is already developing Reality Pro with 60 PPD to match full human resolution within the field of view.

These high-quality panels will include electro-mechanical adjustments for interpupillary distance (IPD), allowing automatic calibration every time the headset is worn. We suspect the panels might feature AMOLED curved screens for enhanced refresh rates and possibly utilize lightfield technology for a more realistic light capture.

The brains

The Reality Pro headset will include two chips: an M2 chip and an A17 Bionic chip primarily for sensor management. Packed with fourteen cameras and sensors, it will utilize LIDAR technology for motion tracking. Face and mouth movements will be captured through machine learning, creating a pass-through effect that gives the impression of transparency, allowing visibility of the user’s eyes.

The external battery pack, approximately the size and weight of an iPhone 14 Pro Max, is expected to provide around two hours of usage and will support hot-swapping for continuous operation.

Another factor for relocating the power source away from the headset was to manage heat; nevertheless, we anticipate onboard active cooling as well due to the heat generated by the panels.

The headband design resembles that of an Apple Watch band, indicating comfort for extended use. While Apple is developing a dedicated controller, initial interaction will rely on hand, eye, and voice tracking. The Reality Pro will feature a USB-C port mainly for firmware updates and potentially connectivity with Windows devices, although this is less likely.

A digital crown, similar to that on the AirPods Max and Watch Ultra, will facilitate easy transitions between AR/VR and the real world.

Software

Based on numerous patents Apple has filed, it appears that Reality Pro will run on a platform called xrOS.

The software will connect seamlessly across all Apple devices via a mesh network, enabling users to utilize their MacBook and external monitors in conjunction with Reality Pro. A significant overhaul for FaceTime is anticipated, featuring a lifelike 3D presence for virtual meetings.

Apple is leveraging the framework from iPadOS, which should allow users to access a 2.5D version of all existing iPad apps right from the start.

Safari and all core native iPad applications, including Calendar, Mail, Files, Maps, Notes, iMessage, and Photos, will be optimized for the Reality Pro experience. Developers will be encouraged to create new 3D applications for the device as soon as possible.

With the M2 chip as the primary processor in Reality Pro, there is potential for studios to develop AAA games for Apple — a first in the company’s history.

The future

This inaugural version of Reality Pro will be a high-end model, featuring every imaginable capability. As previously mentioned, the price reflects this, and Apple anticipates a loss on this initial version, positioning it as a loss leader.

While the concept of AR glasses may still be years away, Apple is expected to launch a more affordable, non-pro variant of Reality Pro to cater to a broader market.

Wrapping up

In a recent conversation with Marcus, the possibilities for the future of AR seem virtually limitless.

Imagine escaping a chilly winter to work out with trainers in sunny Los Angeles! Why settle for watching the Lakers from home when you could be in the arena, engaging with fellow fans?

Apple Music could offer premium tickets for concerts, allowing attendees not only the best seats but possibly even backstage access. Movies on Apple TV+ are set to become immersive experiences that fill your entire room.

By this time next week, everything could change. Although the headset won't be available for purchase until later this year or early next, the WWDC keynote is likely to be a mind-blowing event — and this is merely the beginning.

With potential announcements of new Macs, iOS, iPadOS, tvOS, watchOS, and the upcoming macOS, this keynote could be one of the most extensive ever, exceeding two hours in length. It’s rare for significant releases like Logic and Final Cut for iPad to be announced via press release. This event is poised to be packed with excitement.

Will the headset be revealed right away or save for the iconic ‘one more thing’ moment? Only time will tell, but I’m committed to witnessing every moment.

The anticipation has been lengthy — but the reveal is nearly here.

Getting involved…

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Originally published at https://talkingtechandaudio.com on May 31, 2023.