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Apple’s much-anticipated mixed-reality headset is reportedly in its “final sprint” and “supply chain delivery stage”, according to a report from Taiwan’s Economic Daily News. The news comes as the tech giant gears up for its annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), set to take place in June, where it is expected to unveil a slew of new products and updates.
The report indicates that GIS, a subsidiary of Foxconn, has been included in the supply chain for the device’s lens lamination. GIS is already responsible for laminating iPad displays for Apple and is known for its high yield rate. This news marks a significant shift, as Foxconn was previously thought to have been excluded from the headset’s supply chain, with China’s Luxshare serving as the sole assembler.
GIS is believed to have set up a dedicated production line for the headset’s lens lamination at a plant in Chengdu, China. This, coupled with other reports, suggests that the supplier’s production line mobilization schedule points to a June unveiling at WWDC, with the device launching in the months following. Interestingly, GIS has publicly stated that it will begin shipping “metaverse-adjacent” devices to customers in the second quarter of 2023, which runs from April to June.
This move is seen as laying the groundwork for Foxconn to participate more widely in the supply chain for Apple’s second-generation mixed-reality headset. In fact, reports from February suggest that Foxconn is hoping to supply the cheaper model in Apple’s second-generation lineup.
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The mixed-reality headset market is heating up, with Apple, Facebook, and other tech giants racing to create devices that blend the physical and virtual worlds. Apple’s headset is expected to be a high-end device, with rumors suggesting that it could cost as much as $3,000. Despite this hefty price tag, analysts predict that Apple’s foray into mixed reality will be a game-changer, as the company has a reputation for driving innovation and setting industry standards.