New Details about Apple AR/VR Headset

According to The Information, one of the main features of Apple's AR/VR headset will be realistic avatars with accurate facial expressions, which are captured using a system that includes 14 cameras. Among the cameras are those that will track the user's face and facial expressions so that the virtual avatars will accurately capture their facial expressions and mouth movements.

The Information report states that the base version of the headset will get the same processor as the M1 Ultra for Mac Studio. The headset itself is expected to run on two chips, with a streaming codec to reduce latency. The headset's main processor will be equivalent to the M2 chip for the upcoming MacBook Air and iPad.

According to rumours, Apple is not developing gaming controllers for its AR/VR headset. As the headset was not originally geared towards gaming, the project has often been criticised internally.

Several people familiar with the project say that Apple intends to use hand tracking technology as an input mechanism. It could be combined with a clothespin-like finger clip.

In addition, The Information claims that Jony Ive continues to be involved in the headset project as a freelance consultant to the company. One source confirms that the former Apple design director is often called in to help his former team.

For instance, he communicates his preferences to the company's engineers in areas such as battery, camera placement and ergonomics. Even after Ive's departure from Apple, some employees working on the headset design still had to travel from Cupertino to San Francisco, where Ive has a home, for advice.

Recall that in mid-May 2022, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman revealed that Apple had recently demonstrated its future AR/VR headset to Apple's board of directors. This is a good indication that the project is at an "advanced stage" and a public launch of the product is imminent.

Title picture: Ian Zelbo