Apple MR headset may be delayed by software problems
Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reports that Apple's Mixed Reality headset has slipped because of software development issues, and fewer than 500,000 may be made in all of 2023.
![Apple MR headset render](https://photos5.appleinsider.com/gallery/48488-94628-51799684414_2a2bfff86a_o(1)-xl.jpg)
Apple MR headset render
As Kuo reports of changes in hardware development of the Apple MR headset, he's now also saying that according to his sources, there are software issues. He has no details of what they are, or their severity, but it's sufficient to mean that shipping of the headset may be delayed.
In a thread on Twitter, Kuo says that he still expects components to be produced in the first half of 2023, most likely the second quarter. But where the industry expected Apple to ship between 800,000 and 1.2 million headsets in 2023, it will "likely be less than 500k units."
Kuo says that it's not known yet whether Apple intends to postpone its public announcement of the headset. "It still needs to be determined whether the media event schedule (previously estimated in January 2023) will also delay," he writes, "but usually, if the time frame between the media event and end product mass shipment is too long, it's detrimental to promotion and sales."
Read on AppleInsider
![Apple MR headset render](https://photos5.appleinsider.com/gallery/48488-94628-51799684414_2a2bfff86a_o(1)-xl.jpg)
Apple MR headset render
As Kuo reports of changes in hardware development of the Apple MR headset, he's now also saying that according to his sources, there are software issues. He has no details of what they are, or their severity, but it's sufficient to mean that shipping of the headset may be delayed.
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My latest survey indicates that the mass shipment schedule of Apple's MR headset may delay to 2H23 because of software-related issues (vs. the previous estimate of 2Q23).-- (Ming-Chi Kuo) (@mingchikuo)
In a thread on Twitter, Kuo says that he still expects components to be produced in the first half of 2023, most likely the second quarter. But where the industry expected Apple to ship between 800,000 and 1.2 million headsets in 2023, it will "likely be less than 500k units."
Kuo says that it's not known yet whether Apple intends to postpone its public announcement of the headset. "It still needs to be determined whether the media event schedule (previously estimated in January 2023) will also delay," he writes, "but usually, if the time frame between the media event and end product mass shipment is too long, it's detrimental to promotion and sales."
Read on AppleInsider
Comments
None of us needs a Mac, iPhone, or iPad, but if we feel their utility warrants the price so we get them. If Apple can show that their mixed-reality headset is worth owning then people will buy them. Personally, I neither want nor don't want to get Apple's headset. I'll first have to get a feel for the experience before I make a decision on cost v utility. It's like only ever having experienced a Blackberry or Windows tablet to claim that the iPhone and iPad would be crap copy-cat devices that "no one wants".
How about we let companies actually announce a product before we weigh on on whether we like it or not? Crazy, right?
Second part, software issues but he has no idea what. Should we put our money on that?
Third part, which industry? The only one that matters here is, Apple. Unless they announce something that should be available by some specified date, it doesn’t matter what outsiders “industry experts” claim.
How long have you been embedded on the team? Surely a long while since you know the capabilities and pricing of this unannounced product. Do share with us!
Also you both sound like you’ve never used VR before.
I see your point but if we are talking about rumours, by definition, anything is possible.
The problem is that AR depends on content and also keeping that content updated. VR is more akin to the established models of platform, application, user (domestic or industrial).
Throwing it all into one headset (XR) is more challenging. Google and Meta have the data. Apple less so. Then that data has to move up and down the pipe. That is ICT and local (WiFi /CPE) infrastructure. Then there is the question of processing and there are not many options here. Cloud, Edge, secondary device or on device (or a mix). Then the hardware itself. Again, few options. Glasses, headset or mix of both.
I don't know how far contact lenses with integrated electronics have come but I'd rule that out at the moment.
With all that in mind, we know what the core form factor will probably be and we know the tradeoffs on the hardware side (battery, charging, resolution and compute etc).
The big question will be the user experience but content and content quality will dictate that.
A good analogy would be Apple Maps when it launched. It didn't matter how sleek your interface was, the quality of animations, the power of your vehicle tracking etc because if the content wasn't there (or was plain wrong) you had no compelling reason to use it. The advantage of Maps though was that you didn't need to buy a dedicated device to use it. Maps essentially removed the need for a dedicated device.
That takes on a whole new meaning if you need to purchase a device just for the privilege.
With all that in mind, my guess is a limited roll out (probably the US) and basic functionality that is improved over time. Not dissimilar to how Siri was introduced although Siri seems to have not improved much over the years and many put that down to not having enough core data to feed off.
In terms of product goals it could go anywhere. A competively priced, scaled back device to gain market traction and stimulate content creation or a high end, expensive 'hobby' experience for early adopters.
In functionality terms though we know what to expect to a large degree. It's what we already have or has been announced by various players.
I'd prefer open standards as far as possible.