First details about mixed reality glasses leaked
No time right now?
The online magazine The Information publishes details on an Apple headset that could hit the market for $ 3,000 in 2022 and dominate both virtual and augmented realities.
The publication wants sources from the Apple environment The information have received quite detailed impressions of a new Apple headset, which is not supposed to be called “Apple Glasses”.
Contents
Cameras everywhere: hand and eye movements are tracked
The mysterious new headset should be a mixed reality system – one that should be able to show both VR, i.e. completely artificial worlds, as well as AR, i.e. real images enriched with digital elements. The headset should have the design of a visor and have more than a dozen cameras.
On the one hand, this camera setting should deliver a constant stream of real images to the wearer’s eyes and, on the other hand, it should be able to track movements such as those of the hands and react to them. Inward-facing cameras are supposed to track eye movements.
The inside curved displays of the unit should show a resolution of 8K. As it should be for a unit based on ski or motorcycle goggles, there should be different headbands to choose from. The transition between face and eyes seems to be surrounded by a kind of foam. Here, too, the ambitious athlete recognizes the role model. The Information promises a whole host of other functions.
This is what the N301 should look like, according to The Information. (Source: The Information)
Augmented Reality, but without transparency – therefore also suitable for VR
The headset is particularly interesting because it shouldn’t focus on VR or AR, but instead could be able to combine both forms of digital reality. However, unlike conventional AR glasses, reality would not simply be seen by looking through the headset. Rather, the cameras record the outside world and project it onto the internal displays with a certain latency.
As a result, Apple could combine VR and AR with each other and thus enable experiences that remove the limitations of the other technology. This could primarily benefit games. Use in training or in productive environments also seems conceivable.
In addition to controlling the device, which is to be developed at Apple under the code name N301, by hand and eye, the device should also be able to be operated using joystick-like additional devices, such as a thimble-like control stick. The additional functions may be used to control other elements, such as the selection of software options. This additional hardware could be offered as an option.
Among the various prototypes, there should be some that have a digital crown on the side, like the Apple Watch or the new Over-Ears. This could be used in a similar way to the other applications. All variants should also have lidar technology, which allows for a much more precise detection of the surroundings and the distances to objects, especially from the point of view that the units do not offer any transparency.
There should also be a display on the outside of the unit. The purpose of this is to display information about the operating status, even when the unit is not in use. The exchangeable headbands are intended to equip the unit with additional features. For example, an audio solution could be integrated into the tape. A headband with an additional battery is also in the works. The headset is generally charged by cable.
The Information continues to learn from the Apple environment that the manufacturer wants to use its own chips for the headset. For the peripheral view, displays with a slightly lower resolution should be used, while the frontal view should have 8K displays. That exceeds the capabilities of conventional televisions – especially in relation to the area.
N301 could come for $ 3,000 in 2022
Allegedly, the N301 will come on the market next year and be manufactured by the supplier Pegatron. Most recently, Apple had put all orders with the Taiwanese manufacturer on hold when Pegatron was again noticed because of exploitative working conditions.
In terms of price, the device should be between a Macbook and a Microsoft Hololens. That should be a competitive line. The N301 would then cost around $ 3,000. Production figures are also being rumored. According to this, Apple should reckon with around 250,000 units in the first year of production.
