Apple has recently won a patent for a head-mounted device that could be used to display virtual reality content. The device would have a display that covers the user’s peripheral vision, providing a more immersive experience. This patent adds to the mounting evidence that Apple is just as interested in virtual reality and mixed reality technology as Meta. Apple has been hiring experts in the field, and has several patents related to VR and Mixed Reality. Meta’s case is the same except for the fact that it is firing experts, instead.
Metaverse vs Apple’s Mixed reality headset
Apple is working on a mixed reality headset that is set to come out next year. The price will be between $2,000 and $3,000 and the headset will include a Mac-level M2 chip, more than 10 cameras, and the highest-resolution displays ever featured in a mass-market headset. The headset will run a new operating system, “realityOS”, which will include mixed-reality versions of core Apple apps like Messages, FaceTime, and Maps.
Metaverse is a concept; on the other hand, apple’s mixed reality headset is an actual product in development. The former is a hypothetical future where people can connect and interact with each other virtually, using avatars. The latter is a device that would allow users to view and interact with virtual content in a more immersive way. The concern here is that if Apple’s headset is successful, it could pave the way for the company to create its own Universe.
We can compare apple’s mixed reality headset with Meta’s Quest Pro VR Headset they launched on October 25.
Meta’s Quest Pro vs Apple’s Mixed Reality Headset
Meta’s quest pro VR headset is a $1500 device featuring a Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2+ chip, 12GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage. It gives 50% more performance than the Quest 2, according to Meta.
When it comes to VR, AR, or MR, size matters a lot. The smaller, thinner, and lighter the headset is, the better. In fact, it is the basis for judging how futuristic a headset is. Meta switched to new pancake lenses in order to reduce the thickness of the headset. Still, they are delivering a relatively high resolution of 1,800 x 1,920 pixels per eye. The headset’s visuals are better than most mid-end PCs with a 90Hz refresh rate.
Its horizontal FOV is pretty much as good or better than all of its rivals except for the Vive Pro 2’s 116 degrees. The Quest Pro also features 10 sensors on the interior and exterior of the device. The five outward-facing cameras support full-color passthrough, hand-tracking, and scene understanding without the need for additional external sensors. Meanwhile, the five inward-facing sensors track eyes and face movements for features like foveated rendering and enhanced avatar animations.
What’s different about Apple is that its headset is not just for gaming or entertainment. Also, Apple’s mixed reality headset will possess two high-resolution 4K micro OLED displays with up to 3,000 pixels per inch. The resolution seems so unreal for any wearable lens technology. Apple is working on a video service for the headset featuring 3D content that can be played in virtual reality. The company is continuously looking for engineers who can work on development tools geared toward virtual and augmented reality. One of apple’s recent job listings is for development of a 3D mixed-reality world.
What Apple seems to have learned from Meta’s downfall
Metaverse has turned out more of a curse for Zuckerberg and his company. On behalf of the company, Zuckerberg said that within the next decade, the metaverse will “reach a billion people”. Clearly, the investors are not into Zuckerberg’s bet on Metaverse. Due to its announcement of dumping money into Reality Labs, Meta’s stocks are down by more than 67% this year. That’s the key reason why Apple is not broadcasting its mixed reality headset as Meta did.
Apple is looking to position the device as a tool for businesses and professionals. In fact, apple’s mixed reality headset is not just a concern for the metaverse, but for the entire tech industry. Apple has the potential to disrupt the status quo and change the way we interact with eye technology.
With its mixed reality headset, Apple could provide a new way for people to interact with computers. The device would allow users to control a computer with their eyes and gestures. This would be a major shift in how we use computers today and could have a profound impact on the way we work and live.
