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In a recent report by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, it has been revealed that Apple’s plans for a follow-up product to their upcoming AR/VR mixed-reality headset have been put on hold, or as Apple puts it, “postponed indefinitely”.
According to Gurman, the technical challenges of producing a consumer-friendly product have proved to be a major obstacle for the tech giant. The initial dream of offering a lightweight pair of AR glasses that could be worn all day now appears to be many years away if it happens at all.
Gurman also mentions that the concept of AR glasses has been tried before, but failed to gain traction. Instead, consumers seem to be more interested in a more immersive and home/office-bound headset experience, which is currently dominated by Facebook’s Meta Platforms Inc.
VR headsets offer a more immersive experience, allowing users to play video games, communicate in virtual meeting rooms, and watch videos. In contrast, AR glasses overlay visuals and information on real-world views.
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The failure of Google Glass, which was an earlier attempt at AR glasses, is a clear example of how the world may not be ready for such a product yet. This is likely why Apple has decided to focus its attention on more attainable and consumer-friendly VR/AR experiences.
However, fans of Apple’s AR/VR technology need not despair, as Gurman also reports that we may see the first iteration of Apple’s AR/VR headset before WWDC, provided everything goes according to plan. But as we all know, Apple is known for its unpredictable launch windows.