Apple’s rumored “RealityPro” headset is still set to be previewed at next month’s Worldwide Developer Conference, but likely won’t be available for purchase until the fall, reports the Wall Street Journal (a subscription is required to read the article).
Here’s what the article has to say: Some Apple employees and suppliers have questioned whether the rollout could be delayed given the challenges with integrating the headset with new software, its production and the broader market, people familiar with the product’s development said. Apple could still make changes to its timeline.
The headset’s tentative introduction to the market, with known hurdles, contrasts with Apple’s usual path where products are introduced to the world as fully formed. The expected $3,000 price tag is out of the realm for many consumers, and the company is already anticipating some production issues.
The WSJ adds that the RealityPro will resemble a pair of safety glasses, use an external battery, and connect to a base station “to offload the heavy amounts of computation it requires.”
Apple will host its annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in an online format from June 5-9 with an opportunity for developers and students to celebrate in person at a special experience at Apple Park on opening day.
About the RealityPro
When it comes to the RealityPro, the rumors are abundant. Such a device will arrive this year. Or 2024. Or 2025, Or 2026. It will be a head-mounted display. Or may have a design like “normal” glasses. Or it may be eventually be available in both. The Reality Pro may or may not have to be tethered to an iPhone to work. Other rumors say that it could have a custom-build Apple chip and a dedicated operating system dubbed “rOS” for “reality operating system.” Or perhaps “xrOS” for extended reality operating system.
