[kofi]
2023 is an interesting year for XR. It seems to entirely depend on what Apple decides to do. Should they not launch any XR headset or fail at doing so, it could seriously hurt the whole industry. If they deliver however, it could be a huge boost and the most significant moment in XR history since the acquisition of Oculus by Facebook (Meta) in 2014 or the Meta Connect Keynote in 2021.
Let’s look at some recent news about Apple’s headset that is set to be unveiled at WWDC 2023 from 5. to 9. June.
Already in April we have heard from leaker Evan Blass, who has provided accurate information in the past, that a person he knows well has been able to test the headset. The tester who in his own words was very skeptical when he already saw the headset one year ago was now blown away in a “take my money” kind of way.
Furthermore, last week Palmer Luckey, founder of Oculus, kept the whole community guessing on what his Tweet meant. People speculate that he was one of a selected few experts who were able to test Apple’s new XR headset.
A few weeks before that Luckey was already talking especially highly of the displays that will be in the headset and that he is very confident that Apple will market its device very well and make people believe it’s cool by doing a lot of influencer marketing.
“Apple wants to make VR something everybody wants before making it something everybody can afford.”
Palmer Luckey
Apple Headset BOM (Bill of materials) leaked in China
Also, a leak that surfaced during the last 24 hours in China is making big waves. Namely, the BOM (Bill of materials) for the headset has been leaked. Major Chinese analysts believe the production cost of a headset to be around $1600 which is about double the cost of a Meta Quest Pro.
Interestingly enough, the product is positioned as a non-profit product, combining AR and VR features, which can be switched with one click.
For end users this could mean, by adding marketing and other costs, we could see a price point below the projected $3’000 of maybe as low as $1’999 to $2’499. The quantity is estimated to be 400,000 to 500,000 units in the second half of this year.
Hardware cost breakdown:
- Chips: Two in total, costing $120 -140 each
- Micro OLED screen: $280-320
- Camera (equipped with 14 sensors): $160
- Optical lens system and assembly: $70-80
- Rear-view mirror: $13-15
- Pupil distance adjustment module: $30-35
- 3D sensor part: $80-90
- Metal mid-frame: $95
- Appearance parts: $15-20
- External battery pack: $22 -25;
- Microphone: $21-22, Speaker: $16-18;
- PCB+FPC: $40-45;
- RAM+ROM storage part: $40-45;
- Other chipsets such as wifi, Bluetooth, PMIC, etc.: $60-70;
- Heat dissipation module: $70;
- Other auxiliary parts: $30-40;
- Assembly: $110-120;
- Total cost: around $1400, plus shipping costs, the cost is conservatively estimated to be within $1600.
- The self-developed Reality OS system is adapted to Apple’s MR and is currently dealing with compatibility issues between the ros system and the iOS system.
- The software system covers games, video software, and office software, mainly in cooperation with software suppliers such as iQiyi and Sony.
- MR Supply Chain Manufacturers:
- Comprehensive solution providers: GoerTek, Luxshare Precision
- Camera module: Sunny Optical
- Pupil Distance Adjustment: Zhaowei Mech. & Elec. Tech.
- Structural parts: Jabil, BYD Electronics
- Testing/equipment: Huaxing Yuanchuang, JPT Opto-electronics, Icubic
- Battery pack: Desay Battery
- Pancake optical film: Sunic System
- Acoustic module and overall assembly: Guoguang Electric
- Mini LED backlight: Refond Optoelectronics; Longli Tech.
After those leaks the arguably most famous Apple Leaker Mark Gurman confirmed his suspicion by saying,
“Definitely an M2 in the headset.” and “with 16GB of Ram”.
Mark Gurman
One does not have to be an Apple user or tech enthusiast to understand this headset’s sheer computing power and AI capabilities if recent rumors and leaks are to be believed.
What about developers and content for the new headset?
What do we know about the development environment for the new Apple XR headset and its brand-new operating system that was filed under trademark named “xrOS”?
Well, as a developer this is one of the most burning questions for me, however there is no way to have a clear answer to this question since Apple is… Apple, and they don’t make exceptions for anyone. Yes, not even for the biggest players such as Unity and Unreal Engine, because it is said that even they have to wait for Apple like everyone else.
By talking to the arguably most valuable and influential character in the XR developer scene, Dilmer Valecillos, it came down to a realistic scenario where
“Apple may just make it Apple first… then Unity will move super fast at making a xrOS plugin…”.
Dilmer Valecillos
Now, this seems very likely and Apple will definitely want to keep its walled-garden economy up and will favor its operating system, soft- and hardware to develop for its headset first, before letting anyone else adapt to them.
One thing is for certain, right now every single VR manufacturer or application has to re-invent and re-imagine how UX/UI works in XR. Apple will define how spatial user experiences and user interfaces will look and feel and finally create some best practices around that.
Conclusion
In conclusion, 2023 is shaping up to be a pivotal year for the XR industry, with the spotlight firmly on Apple’s anticipated XR headset. The company’s success or failure in this venture could significantly impact the entire industry. The buzz surrounding the product, fueled by leaks and speculations, suggests a high-end device that could potentially redefine the XR landscape.
The headset, rumored to be unveiled at WWDC 2023, has already garnered significant attention, with industry insiders and leakers hinting at its impressive features and capabilities. The product’s high production cost, which is reflected in its potential retail price, indicates Apple’s commitment to delivering a premium XR experience.
The headset’s hardware specifications, as revealed by leaks, suggest a powerful device equipped with advanced technology. The integration of Apple’s self-developed Reality OS system further underscores the company’s ambition to create a comprehensive XR ecosystem.
However, the secrecy surrounding the development environment for the new Apple XR headset and its brand new xrOS leaves developers in a state of anticipation. It is likely that Apple will initially prioritize its own ecosystem before opening up to third-party developers.
In essence, the launch of Apple’s XR headset could mark a significant milestone in the evolution of XR technology. It has the potential to either propel the industry forward or set it back, depending on its reception. As we approach the unveiling, the industry and consumers alike wait with bated breath to see what Apple has in store for the future of XR.
[kofi]
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