Although Apple delayed the launch of its augmented reality glasses, the mixed reality ones would be presented at some point this year. In fact, Mark Gurman, a journalist for Bloomberg and the most reliable source as far as future apple products are concerned, contributed new details of the nearest device, whose name would be Apple Reality Pro.
Inside the device, there will be cameras that will enable eye tracking. Users could even control various interface components just by moving their eyes.. For example, pressing buttons or selecting a certain element within a list.
As for the exterior cameras, these would be capable of analyze hand movement to involve them, like the eyes, in the control of the interface. According to Gurman, Apple Reality Pro can identify when the user joins the thumb with the index finger to activate a certain action. Be careful, it would not be necessary to carry a secondary device in your hands.
The objective of those from Cupertino, clearly, is dispense with a physical command. We have already seen this commitment before in a product that will be a competitor to the Reality Pro: the Microsoft HoloLens. Just like Apple intends, they are committed to constantly tracking hands to identify entry actions. The opposite occurs with the Meta Quest Pro, Meta’s most recent offering, as it requires a controller to navigate through the interface.
The Apple Reality Pro will be a mixed reality device. In other words, it allows you to interact in a virtual world through its internal panels (virtual reality), but also with a real world enriched by digital elements (augmented reality). To achieve the second experience, the device will record what happens outside with its cameras, and transmit it in real time to the screens.
The production of the screens, by the way, will be the responsibility of sony, one of Apple’s closest partners. The Japanese already have years of experience in virtual reality thanks to PlayStation VR, the second generation of which will be available at the end of February. Additionally, the report mentions that the company will offer the Reality Pro with prescription lenses for those who require it.
The Apple Reality Pro would have a digital crown, like the Apple Watch
How will the user be able to make the leap from virtual reality to augmented reality and vice versa? In the past we had already heard that the Reality Pro will integrate a digital crown, very similar to that of the Apple Watch. By turning it, it will be possible to transition between experiences. Gurman indicates that this function is one of the most amazing of the product and, therefore, one of its main value propositions.
While Apple hasn’t shown much interest in having its own Metaverse, at least not to the same extent as Meta, The Reality Pro will be able to represent, through an avatar, the face and full body of the user. Of course, it will be possible to meet friends and family in virtual settings. At the moment, yes, it is specified that this function will be limited to two people. Why? Basically, because it requires a lot of processing power.
The foregoing, however, does not mean that three or more people will not be able to interact simultaneously. It will be possible to have conversations with several guests, but only two will be able to do so with their avatar. The rest will be seen with an icon or Memoji.
If all goes according to plan, Apple will introduce the Reality Pro next spring. Almost in all probability, at a fully dedicated event due to the significance of the product. However, do not expect a price within everyone’s reach. Bloomberg adds that Apple wants to place them in a segment premiumso the cost could skyrocket to the $3,000 dollars.
The first images of the Reality Pros are likely to start leaking in a matter of weeks. The above because its production, always according to Gurman, will begin in February. It is well known that once a product begins to be mass-produced, it is very difficult to stop the leaks. However, the initial availability of the glasses would be limited to the United States.
Apple knows that a product like this, with such a high price for the vast majority, will hardly be a massive success – although they expect to sell a million units in the first year. For this reason, they are preparing a second device with a more “affordable” price: $1,500 dollars. The problem is that, in the best of cases, it will see the light until the end of 2024.