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Apple Is Breaking Its Own Rules with a New Headset

19 points by dcgudeman 3y ago

NickC25 3y ago
Paywall. That said, I thought the rumor was Apple was going to reveal 2 headsets - 1 available soon for $3k, and another priced at ~$1.5k(ish) that would be available in Q1 of next year. The $3k model was essentially the beta version of the mass-market device so that Apple could continue to field test software and apps to make sure that the next iteration of the device would knock it out of the park. My whole question is - what sort of killer apps does Apple have right now that would make a headset a must-buy? That was one of the things that sort of doomed the Hololens and the Magic Leap - lack of useful applications. Would Apple really release a device without a reason for consumers to actually use it? I'm all for AR/VR - it's cool tech for sure, but I don't see any mass-market necessities the device would fulfill. But that doesn't seem like Apple's M.O, does it?
- wmf 3y ago
  They must have some interesting app(s) but for their sake I guess they just haven't leaked yet. I wouldn't be surprised to see a repeat of the early iPod and iPhone where people who tried it loved it and people who hadn't tried it loudly proclaimed its doom.
  - adastra22 3y ago
    Tried it to do… what? The iPod was a music player. The iPhone is a mobile phone. Those are things people do every day. What would be the mass market use case for a VR headset?
- innagadadavida 3y ago
  I’m trying to imagine where it will be used most not just how home or office or public places? Still feels socially awkward but so did AirPods for me.
  - NickC25 3y ago
    I'm with you on AirPods being socially awkward. Seems that everyone always has at least one in their ear, so you never know if someone you're speaking with is blasting music, talking with someone else, or actually focusing on you. Really tough.
- dr_kiszonka 3y ago
  I would love a headset that could serve as a true multiple 4k monitors replacement (with over 120 ppi) and had a passthrough. I am sure more creative people would get excited about something closer to a holodeck, but I just want endless high-res displays in VR with little to none eye and neck strain.
  - jbaber 3y ago
    This is the only thing that appeals to me about AR and is definitely lowest priority.
carlycue 3y ago
https://archive.is/6d8Ns https://archive.is/6d8Ns
JumpCrisscross 3y ago
"Executives and tech analysts say Apple isn’t waiting longer because it would take too much time to make its ideal version, competitors are already in the market and the company has already devoted a lot of capital and resources into developing the headset." None of this is about the user.
- MichaelZuo 3y ago
  After Jony Ive left it's mostly operations people in Tim Cook's inner circle, and no one outside of operations with equivalent credibility to push back.
  - innagadadavida 3y ago
    MBP is usable after Ive’s exit. He’s surely Is talented but his success rate is not 100%. Apples main problem right now is software quality - this has become difficult as there is integration between every device with every other apple device and the combinatorial complexity is difficult to maintain and test.
    - MichaelZuo 3y ago
      Second gen Apple silicon MacBook Pro sales (M2 models) are only moderately higher then second gen Touch Bar MacBook Pro (2017) sales. And 2017 macbok pros only got a small spec bump. So the vast majority of customers were satisfied enough with usability even with the more sensitive keyboards, Touch Bar, etc.
      - Tiktaalik 3y ago
        If Apple was still making the terrible 2017 macs with their lousy broken keyboards I think the users would be headed elsewhere with their next computer purchase. The M1s saved their marketshare. That a bunch of long time Apple buyers, used to a quality product from Apple, got suckered into buying the 2017 computer that was lousy says little.
      - pedalpete 3y ago
c7DJTLrn 3y ago
Is there any evidence this device even exists? The "leaks" seem to be hearsay at best. Apparently it will have foveated rendering which I doubt very much.

19 points by dcgudeman 3y ago

Paywall. That said, I thought the rumor was Apple was going to reveal 2 headsets - 1 available soon for $3k, and another priced at ~$1.5k(ish) that would be available in Q1 of next year. The $3k model was essentially the beta version of the mass-market device so that Apple could continue to field test software and apps to make sure that the next iteration of the device would knock it out of the park. My whole question is - what sort of killer apps does Apple have right now that would make a headset a must-buy? That was one of the things that sort of doomed the Hololens and the Magic Leap - lack of useful applications. Would Apple really release a device without a reason for consumers to actually use it? I'm all for AR/VR - it's cool tech for sure, but I don't see any mass-market necessities the device would fulfill. But that doesn't seem like Apple's M.O, does it?

wmf 3y ago
They must have some interesting app(s) but for their sake I guess they just haven't leaked yet. I wouldn't be surprised to see a repeat of the early iPod and iPhone where people who tried it loved it and people who hadn't tried it loudly proclaimed its doom.
- adastra22 3y ago
  Tried it to do… what? The iPod was a music player. The iPhone is a mobile phone. Those are things people do every day. What would be the mass market use case for a VR headset?
innagadadavida 3y ago
I’m trying to imagine where it will be used most not just how home or office or public places? Still feels socially awkward but so did AirPods for me.
- NickC25 3y ago
  I'm with you on AirPods being socially awkward. Seems that everyone always has at least one in their ear, so you never know if someone you're speaking with is blasting music, talking with someone else, or actually focusing on you. Really tough.
dr_kiszonka 3y ago
I would love a headset that could serve as a true multiple 4k monitors replacement (with over 120 ppi) and had a passthrough. I am sure more creative people would get excited about something closer to a holodeck, but I just want endless high-res displays in VR with little to none eye and neck strain.
- jbaber 3y ago
  This is the only thing that appeals to me about AR and is definitely lowest priority.

carlycue 3y ago

https://archive.is/6d8Ns https://archive.is/6d8Ns

JumpCrisscross 3y ago

"Executives and tech analysts say Apple isn’t waiting longer because it would take too much time to make its ideal version, competitors are already in the market and the company has already devoted a lot of capital and resources into developing the headset." None of this is about the user.

MichaelZuo 3y ago
After Jony Ive left it's mostly operations people in Tim Cook's inner circle, and no one outside of operations with equivalent credibility to push back.
- innagadadavida 3y ago
  MBP is usable after Ive’s exit. He’s surely Is talented but his success rate is not 100%. Apples main problem right now is software quality - this has become difficult as there is integration between every device with every other apple device and the combinatorial complexity is difficult to maintain and test.
  - MichaelZuo 3y ago
    Second gen Apple silicon MacBook Pro sales (M2 models) are only moderately higher then second gen Touch Bar MacBook Pro (2017) sales. And 2017 macbok pros only got a small spec bump. So the vast majority of customers were satisfied enough with usability even with the more sensitive keyboards, Touch Bar, etc.
    - Tiktaalik 3y ago
      If Apple was still making the terrible 2017 macs with their lousy broken keyboards I think the users would be headed elsewhere with their next computer purchase. The M1s saved their marketshare. That a bunch of long time Apple buyers, used to a quality product from Apple, got suckered into buying the 2017 computer that was lousy says little.
    - pedalpete 3y ago

c7DJTLrn 3y ago

Is there any evidence this device even exists? The "leaks" seem to be hearsay at best. Apparently it will have foveated rendering which I doubt very much.