That could indicate that AR will be more important to Apple as a tool to improve user experience.

A recent interview with China Daily USA seems to support that, with CEO Tim Cook being “incredibly excited about AR” while wanting to keep humanity at the center of the new technology.

We’ve been hearing more rumors about the headset lately, indicating a looming release. Apple also reportedly showed off the hardware to the board of directors, which they wouldn’t do if it wasn’t almost ready for release.

Here’s what we know, what we think is coming, and what we want to see.

When will the Apple VR headset launch?

Apple hasn’t publicly acknowledged the existence of the VR/AR headset. Many supply chain indicators point to an early 2023 launch date.

But now, some experts believe Apple’s mixed-reality headset won’t make an appearance until later in the year. That’s according to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who has a solid track record when it comes to Apple.

A report from DigiTimes (via MacRumors) says that mass production will start in March 2023. That would mean the release event would be after that.

The report also mentions that “initial production is said to be very limited,” with the marketing focus on commercial markets.

That’s for Apple’s first headset, which might be developer-focused. Then another headset is tipped to arrive in 2025, or possibly two, one cheaper and one more premium.

Isn’t this Apple Glass?

Apple Glass, the AR-only, looks-like-normal-glasses device, isn’t coming until 2025, at the earliest.

Supply-chain analyst, Ming-Chi Kuo, says that contact lens-type AR glasses are also in the works, with a 2030-2040 release window.

The headset that’s believed to be coming early next year is a more traditional helmet-style mixed-reality headset.

What will the headset be called?

Bloomberg reported that Apple has new trademark filings for names that could be associated with virtual reality. Those include “Reality One,” “Reality Pro,” and “Reality Processor.”

Could that be the name(s) of the upcoming headset and the chip that will power it? We won’t have long to wait to find out.

What features do we know about?

Apple’s first headset won’t be restricted to VR or AR content – it will feature both.

That means a closed-off helmet-style headset, with external cameras for positional tracking, AR overlays, hand-tracking, and gesture control.

One report from TomsGuide via The Information says Apple’s headset will introduce a new biometrics security feature. The headset will reportedly feature iris scanning as an extra layer of security.

UPDATE 9/14/2022 1:30 PM ET: Apple has now been granted five patents for mixed reality headsets. These patents are related to eye-tracking, image-capturing, and controller processors.

The displays are supposedly 4K (4000×4000) using micro-OLED. Some reports say there will be a third AMOLED display behind those two high-resolution screens, to make a foveated display.

That type of display works in the same manner as our eyes. Essentially, the spot we’re looking at it will appear high resolution, while the periphery is lower quality.

What kind of processor will the headset have?

Early reports said that the headset wouldn’t do its own processing, instead it would need to be connected to an iPhone or Mac.

Since then, we’ve seen reports of it having multiple chips inside, one of which would be “similar computing power as the M1 for Mac.”

An even more recent report says that Apple will put the M2 chip into the headset. That will pair with 16GB of DRAM, which means you’ll be wearing a MacBook on your face.

UPDATE 11/14/2022 7:40 AM ET: A new report from Bloomberg’s Marc Gurman states that the unit will feature an M2 chip and run realityOS.

The headset will reportedly come with a 96W MacBook charger to power all of that. That’s the same one bundled with the 14-inch MacBook Pro with the M1 Pro chip.

Hardware is cool, but content is king. Apple has reportedly been courting Hollywood directors to create adaptations in AR for their headset.

Expect series like Prehistoric Planet to appear on the device, and more.

How much will the headset cost?

Apple devices are typically sold at premium prices, to match their premium build. Early predictions say the AR/VR headset could cost over $2,000.

This quote was from Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman, whose sources say that value was floated around in Apple’s internal discussions.

Apple typically charges a bit more than its competitors for products, locking in margins that have helped it become one of the most profitable consumer-electronics companies ever. The new headset won’t be an exception, but the main reason why the company has discussed price points above $2,000 is because of some of its internal technologies.

If so, this isn’t going to be the mass-market device that Meta’s Quest range is.

Instead, this will be a premium device, possibly aimed at developers and other users that will build the next apps for Apple’s future devices.

realityOS: What is it?

Back in February of this year, developers found multiple references to “realityOS” in Apple’s codebase.

Apple isn’t telling you to go touch grass with that name. Instead, it points toward a new device family, which uses a previously-unknown operating system.

The most likely home would be on the VR headset and subsequent devices. Apple has been working on realityOS since at least 2017, when mentions of “rOS” were found in iOS 13 code.

rOS was built on iOS code, but anything could have changed since then. Apple could have gone the desktop replacement route and built realityOS on macOS.

Will you want the Apple VR headset?

The $2,000 question: will you want it? Well, that depends on you, really.

If you’re a professional or developer that wants a stable AR/VR platform to create on, the answer is yes. You’ll want this headset to create programs for the next, cheaper Apple headset, slated for a 2024 release.

Home users might want to pass on this, however. The high price and relative lack of content mean this probably isn’t the headset for you.

Unless you’re a serial early adopter, in which case, you’re going to buy it when it’s available, just because.

What will be Apple’s competition?

The VR market is about to get very crowded. Multiple large brands are coming out with their own headsets, starting with Meta’s Quest Pro later this year.

Meta’s device is aimed at business users to transition their jobs from typing on a keyboard (boring!) to a metaverse virtual keyboard (ooh, snazzy!). It will cost upwards of $1,000.

Microsoft is also releasing a new HoloLens early in 2023. The enterprise-focused AR headset will cost thousands. Not one for consumers, but still exciting and likely to push the AR market forward.

Then it’s on to an entertainment-focused headset, the PS VR2. Sony’s second VR headset should sell millions of units. The only drawback? You need a PlayStation 5 to use it.

HTC is estimated to sell higher amounts of headsets in 2023. VR is one of the things HTC does well, and its recent headsets are all quality.

Then it’s Pico‘s turn. The largest brand for VR in China, they’re on track to ship at least a million headsets this year. Expect to see a new headset from them in 2023, as we’re due based on their historical release cadence.

What we’d like to see from Apple’s VR headset

We’ve used multiple AR and VR headsets over the years, and most suck. The bar Apple has to surpass is a low one, but that doesn’t make it easy. The company still has to address major pain points.

The biggest is comfort. Most VR headsets are weighty, have uncomfortable straps, and aren’t the easiest to adjust to your head. If Apple can nail comfort, the growing market is theirs.

Most headsets have terrible, or barely-capable, audio playback, but that could change this time. Apple won’t be happy with poor audio, as it focuses on providing solid audio quality on its other devices. Spatial audio in VR content will be awesome.

We’d also love battery life to be a big focus. Power efficiency is there, if it uses the M2 chip. With the average headset running out after two or three hours, Apple knows what it has to do.

That said, if it’s coming with a 96W charger, it might not have much of an internal battery, if any at all.

Interconnectivity between the rest of Apple’s product stack would be great.

Apple Fitness Plus would have a natural place on the headset, as would Maps, or other programs. Imagine using Garageband in AR, while you’re playing your instruments.

The future is virtual

UPDATE 9/29/2022 8:30 AM ET: Apple is already looking to future headsets, as well. According to a new report from The Elec, Apple is asking LG and Samsung about future displays that reach 3500 pixels-per-inch (PPI). Theoretically, this will make future displays even more immersive.

Whatever form Apple’s first VR/AR headset takes, it’s clear the company thinks other forms of reality are the future.

Apple isn’t one to jump into a market, they like to study things first (assuming they’re not creating the category).

The first device might be another “iPhone moment,” changing the face of how we interact with technology. If anyone can get VR and AR mainstream, it’ll be Apple.

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

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The PS VR2 will cost $549.99 in the U.S., €599.99 in the European Union, and £529.99 in the U.K. Pre-orders will go live on November 15, from either the PlayStation store or selected retail outlets.

The launch bundle will contain the PS VR2 headset, two PS VR2 Sense controllers, and stereo headphones.

READ MORE: Sony has opened up preorders for the PS VR2

Sony will also launch a PlayStation VR2 Sense charging stand for $49.99 in the U.S., €49.99 in Europe, and £39.99 in the U.K.

The PS VR2 will have one game bundle option at launch

One of the launch titles Sony previously shared was Horizon Call of the Mountain. And guess what, the game is included in the bundle.

A launch bundle with the PS VR2, Sense controllers, stereo headphones, and the game will cost $599.99 in the U.S., €649.99 in the European Union, and £569.99 in the U.K.

The game will feature a new protagonist, fighting a new “hidden danger to the world of Horizon.” At some point, the player will cross paths with Aloy, the previous game’s protagonist.

PS VR2 Product Specs

Preorders open later this month

Sony says pre-orders will go live on November 15. And remember only Sony’s online PlayStation store.

Pre-orders are open for players in the U.S., U.K., France, Germany, Belgium, Netherlands, and Luxembourg.

Other markets will have pre-orders at the same time from participating retailers. Orders will “ship throughout the week of launch.”

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

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Now, these are patent images so they show an idea, but the design could change. What we can tell is that Valve is planning a complicated system of cables to adjust the headset to your liking.

Two large dials on the back of the straps control the top and side straps’ length, and it looks easy to adjust.

We can also see two headphone/speaker sections that drop down from the side straps. Those are also adjustable in what seems like multiple dimensions.

What we don’t know from the patent is what hardware will go into the headset.

Some hints point towards it being standalone, as “The harness may couple to a rear housing disposed at the back of the HMD. The rear housing may accommodate various computing components of the HMD.” Sounds like a self-powered VR headset to us, like the Meta Quest 2 or Pico’s range.

Some other details about the Deckard VR headset have also emerged this week. Brad Lynch, an XR analyst who first found the Deckard name, says that Steam VR will be able to make a Wi-Fi hotspot for the headset to connect to your PC. This seems to happen without needing any additional hardware.

Lynch also found development tool pointers, and a whole bunch of other leaked strings. Check out his video for more. He does caution patience, as Valve is known for long development times or even not releasing things they work on.

Have any thoughts on this? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

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We’re spending more time online than ever before, proving that we place great importance on digital environments and AI and VR technology. The inclusion of retail tech giants escalates this importance.

Enter the metaverse, where online communication and asset ownership will take center stage. While the metaverse is far from ready, let’s examine how shopping might work on this platform.

Would consumers spend money on virtual items?

One of the trickiest things about owning an eCommerce business is learning how to sell online, and that process could become even more complicated in the metaverse.

You’ll need to convince consumers that a virtual item that may hold no real-world value is worth the cost. However, any gamer will know that this may not be as difficult as it seems.

Fortnite, a free-to-play game, makes $300 million a month selling cosmetic items that don’t give players any competitive advantage. Instead, they’re paying to make their in-game avatar look better.

The question now is how to make other groups fan of this idea.

For the metaverse to thrive, shopping and digital asset ownership have to play a part. At least under a capitalist government. After all, the metaverse will be expensive to run.

But, we don’t have to look at hypotheticals to understand the importance of shopping on the metaverse.

Metaverse Fashion Week received more press than any other virtual fashion week before it. Users who bought assets in-game were shipped real versions they could wear.

What are shopping opportunities available in the Metaverse?

Brands are trying to figure out how to stay relevant in Web 3.0. But there are some already explored opportunities that seem to work for other brands. Let’s look at five examples.

1. Investing in virtual asset creators

Ma Bimbo (Like a Fashionista in English) was a super popular fashion game back in the late 2000s that had players dress up and take care of their avatars. While the game had some problematic elements, the site’s creators actively encouraged custom content.

From dresses to hair to makeup, fans of the site often prefer user-generated content over its less-unique website inclusions.

Users will likely hire virtual tailors in the metaverse to create clothing specific for them that could be sold, provided the user pays a “tailoring” fee.

2. Leveraging your brand power

Charles Hambro, co-founder and CEO of a gaming/metaverse consultancy platform “Geeiq,” has already helped brands like Gucci and Tommy Hilfiger enter the metaverse.

With over 2.7 billion people online playing video games, brands are missing opportunities if they don’t opt-in.

In games like Roblox, users can already walk into a Forever 21 or Gucci and try on clothing. So, there’s nothing strange about it either.

Viewing these virtual items is more comfortable because there isn’t any pressure to purchase them, but trust us, users will buy them anyway.

3. Celebrities can still sell products

Zara Larsson, a Swedish Pop star, hosted a virtual dance party in May 2022 in Roblox and made $1 million selling digital hats and sunglasses.

This proves that influencer marketing is just as effective in the metaverse as on Instagram; meaning, marketers will still need celebrities.

Earlier in 2022, a user paid $450,000 to be Snoop Dogg’s digital neighbor in the metaverse, and other plots were selling at premium prices.

At the beginning of January 2022, the metaverse real estate market topped at $85 million and is looking to snowball over the next decade.

4. Fashion cultures and subcultures

We often get attached to certain fashion styles or subcultures because they give us a sense of belonging.

While counterculture used to move slowly pre-internet, sites like Tumblr saw a rise in subcultures that come from subcultures, like Nu Goth, Soft Grunge, and the “Yeehaw Agenda.”

The metaverse will likely see a rise in new subcultures that fuel consumer spending and result in several pop-up communities that shop at the same “stores” or “malls.”

It would be in a brand’s best interest to cater to these subcultures because virtual items are much easier to wear.

5. Virtual reality mirrors actual reality

As mentioned, Metaverse Fashion Week sent users a real version of an item whenever they bought a virtual replica.

This is a cool concept because it entices non-virtual adopters to buy virtual items. It also incentivizes people who are on the fence to join the metaverse.

If our in-game avatars mirror our real-world dimensions, it would be easier for fashion brands to sell their consumers a fitted item. They may even be able to see how the garment may fit on their actual body when they get it. This could reduce returns and unhappy customers.

Have any thoughts on this? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

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Things like this are typical for a company to do when releasing emerging tech such as AR glasses. Microsoft did it with HoloLens and Magic Leap pretty much did the same thing with its Magic Leap One headset.

But no one working in Meta’s Reality Labs division knew this would happen. Meta only informed employees of this decision earlier this week, reports The Information.

READ MORE: Meta is working on a digital metaverse wallet

READ MORE: Meta’s upcoming VR headset will reportedly be called ‘Quest Pro’

Truthfully, this is the right call from Meta. The company is working on three different versions of standalone mixed reality glasses, which are due to launch over the next few years.

Unfortunately, the first version would likely cost consumers thousands of dollars, and for the most part, the device wouldn’t be ready for prime time.

Releasing a new product without having any software developed makes it hard for any company to market it to the masses, so releasing the first version of its AR glasses to developers could give it the kickstart it needs.

READ MORE: The Magic Leap 2 mixed-reality headset releases in September

Have any thoughts on this? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

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The usually dependable supply-chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo had this to say on Twitter early this morning. He says that thanks to Shanghai lockdowns, the development process of the VR/AR headset was slowed.

He believes that early 2023 will be when Apple decides to unleash news about the headset. Expect a January 2023 Apple Event to announce the AR/VR headset. Development kits will come within weeks after that, and a pre-order period will occur in the second quarter of 2023.

READ MORE: Apple’s mixed-reality headset is likely coming in January 2023

That timeline culminates in the AR/VR headset “hitting shelves before WWDC 2023.” That’s an odd timeline for release, although it wouldn’t be the first time Apple has unveiled a major device in January.

Apple didn’t explicitly mention the AR/VR headset at all in WWDC 2022. Did they tease it right at the start?

If you go to the keynote at six seconds in, you see what looks suspiciously like a VR headset on someone’s forehead. Big goggles, what look like wires behind each ear – sure, seems like a headset to me. We’ll find out early next year (hopefully).

READ MORE: Apple is planning a huge number of new devices over the next year

Have any thoughts on this? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

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If this sounds like something you need, you can grab it now for just $10.26 with promo code 45PKGGGK. This battery back typically sells for $24. If you prefer a two-pack, get it now for just $23 with promo code 55GEJMFT.

The tiny USB-C battery pack adds another 1.5 hours of playtime to your VR headset, and comes with a right-angle USB-C adapter so it fits out of the way of the straps.

The pocketable USB-C battery pack also can charge your smartphone, just by plugging it. That’s great for emergencies, and what bigger emergency than your phone running out of battery?

For less than $14 for a single battery to add another 1.5 hours of playtime to your Meta Quest 2, it’s a no-brainer. Better yet, you can get two for under $23, and both options have an additional 10-percent coupon right now. Don’t forget to tick the checkbox before adding it to your cart.

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Kuo says that mass production of the mixed reality headset is still a ways off. Apple wouldn’t want to give the competition any ideas, so it is going to delay any launches or reveals for the time being.

That also extends to realityOS, the operating system that will run the headset. realityOS has been trademarked in multiple countries by a supposed Apple shell company, as an unreleased product.

That’s probably a wise take from Kuo, especially his second tweet which says that showing off the device too early will just enable competitors to clone the design.

That sentiment is also shared by prominent blogger and startup-whisperer, Robert Scoble, who thinks WWDC is going to be for setting up the software and development environment for the AR/VR headset to shine.

He thinks we’re going to have to wait until January 2023 to get a glimpse of the headset. Apple defined a generation by releasing the iPhone at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) all those years ago. Releasing their mixed reality headset at the same show would fit Apple’s history.

If Scoble is correct, expect spatial computing to have center stage at WWDC, even if the hardware it will eventually run won’t be in attendance. Apple might be relatively late to the AR/VR space, but it’s about to take it by storm.

Have any thoughts on this? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

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That’s according to a report from Bloomberg, and the usually-accurate Mark Gurman. Now, before you get all excited about a possible WWDC 2022 release, that’s probably too soon for an official announcement.

That doesn’t mean it won’t happen this year though. When Apple released its voice assistant, Siri, in 2011, the board got a preview earlier that year. That could mean the mixed-reality headset is on track for an Apple Event sometime this fall.

READ MORE: Valve’s upcoming VR headset possibly shown off in new patent

That would line up with reports from earlier this year, that said the mixed-reality headset would be delayed until the end of 2022.

READ MORE: Don’t expect to see Apple’s VR/AR headset at WWDC this year

Bloomberg also notes that the development of rOS, the operating system that will run the headset, has ramped up recently.

That could lead to some powerful software, as reports from Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo say that the hardware could have similar processing power to the M1 chips used in current Macs.

We’re excited to see what form Apple’s mixed-reality headset takes when it’s finally released. Whenever the actual date is, barring major delays, we won’t have long to wait now.

The real question is, can Apple take market share away from Meta, and its line of Quest headsets? Apple does have a long track record of taking over the product categories it enters, from the iPhone, to the iPad, and more recently, the Apple Watch.

A late 2022, or early 2023 release would put it directly against Meta’s Project Cambria headset.

READ MORE: Apple’s mixed-reality headset is likely coming in January 2023

Have any thoughts on this? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

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The first of these devices is Project Cambria; a high-end VR and mixed-reality headset that Meta wants to replace your laptop with. It will have facial expression tracking, sensors to mimic eye contact in VR, and new optics to make the metaverse more believable.

Cambria will be running on Android hardware, although it’s not clear at this point if Meta will use Android or its own software on the device. Expect to see this later this year, possibly before September.

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The price of the pro-level VR headset is going to be high; with two sources telling The Information (via Android Central) that Cambria will cost $799. A Meta spokesperson said that the “price would be significantly higher,” which we take to mean that Meta will be selling the hardware at a loss.

Funston, the codename for the successor, is being readied for a 2024 release. Also scheduled for 2024 are two pairs of augmented reality glasses, Nazare and Hypernova. Finally, there’s a Quest-branded consumer-level VR headset planned, codenamed Cardiff.

READ MORE: Meta’s upcoming VR headset will reportedly be called ‘Quest Pro’

READ MORE: Meta’s first version of AR glasses will be aimed at developers

Before that, a consumer headset codenamed Stinson is coming in 2023. That’s going to be the Quest 3 when it hits shelves. A leak from earlier this year says it’ll have uOLED screens.

That’s a lot of VR headsets in a short time, but it’s necessary for Meta to carve out its vision of the metaverse before the competition.

Companies like Pico, now owned by Bytedance, are about to start challenging Meta in the consumer space, with the upcoming Pico Neo 3 Link.

Have any thoughts on this? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

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Everyone seems to be having fun playing games like Half-Life: Alyx and Beat Saber, but you need to know about PC requirements for VR headsets before diving in.

While some VR headsets like Meta’s Quest 2 can work without any other device, most headsets need a PC.

That means you’ll want to know what minimum specifications you’ll need, and if your computer will need an upgrade before it can run your VR headset.

Surprisingly, VR requirements are not as high as you think, so keep reading below to learn everything you need to know about getting your PC ready for VR.

Your PC needs these as a minimum for using a VR headset

Every headset on the market needs slightly different requirements to work with your PC. Here are the minimums for the four most popular VR headsets.

READ MORE: Does the Meta Quest 2 require a PC?

Remember, these are the bare minimum requirements for them to work, and the more power you can throw at them, the better your experience will be.

That’s nowhere near the number of headsets on the VR market today, but it’s a good start.

Most headsets will require the same level of graphics card or higher, the rest of the specifications might change.

See if you can find the FAQ page from the manufacturer if it’s a headset that’s not on this list, like this one for the Vive Cosmos.

Additionally, Nvidia recommends an RTX3060 or higher for the best VR experience.

AMD has higher requirements than all of the VR headset minimums above, saying you should be using a Radeon R590 or higher.

How to check that your computer meets VR requirements

Windows makes it a snap to find the few pieces of hardware information you need to know, but the most important thing to check? Your graphics card, which is the most vital part.

That is the most important because most PCs have over 8GB of RAM these days. Almost any PC from the last few years has at least a dual-core CPU. And the minimum CPU requirements of an Intel i5-4590 or Ryzen 1500 are from eight years ago and five years ago, respectively.

How to check your graphics card

1. Open the Windows Start Menu and select Settings

2. Click on System from the left pane

3. Then click on Display > Advanced display

You’ll see the above screen, which will have your monitor’s name and the name of the graphics card that it’s connected to. In my PC, it’s connected to an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070, which is above Nvidia’s recommended spec for a smooth VR experience.

If you go back to the main System page, then click on the bottom entry, About, you’ll see your CPU and RAM specifications.

What about automated tests?

You might have seen VRMark or SteamVR Performance Test mentioned as an easy test for VR compatibility. While it’s true these programs were designed for this, they were created in 2016. VR has moved on substantially since their release.

You can’t count on the rating either program gives as an indicator if your PC can run newer VR headsets. It’s just not going to be accurate when they were designed to say if the original HTC Vive or Oculus Rift headsets were compatible.

Now you know how to check your PC for the minimum specs for any VR headset you might want to buy. Happy gaming!

Have any thoughts on this? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

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Snap CEO Evan Spiegal seems to be on the same page and calls the whole thing “pretty ambiguous and hypothetical,” in a statement to The Guardian. “Just ask a room of people how to define it, and everyone’s definition is totally different.”

Because of this, Snap has no intentions of investing in Zuckerberg’s vision for the metaverse. Instead, the company is putting all its chips on augmented reality (AR). And that makes sense since its AR tech is used by millions of people every day in the Snapchat app.

“There’s now like 250 million people engaging with AR everyday on the smartphone alone,” Spiegel tells The Guardian. “And that’s on this tiny little screen that you’re looking through and you’re using your thumbs on. So we believe that trying to break some of those constraints, and go into a truly immersive and interactive AR experience, will be really important in the future.”

Snap has its own pair of AR Glasses out in the wild, and it’s currently in the hands of testers. Sure, they’re not perfect, but at least they have the ball rolling. In comparison, Meta’s AR glasses have a release date of 2024.

But Snap’s approach is simple. Instead of building tools to replace reality, the company hopes to augment the real world around you. Because realistically, who wants to spend all day hanging out wearing a VR headset?

Have any thoughts on this? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Snapchat unveils a $230 self-flying drone called Pixy
• Meta is opening a physical store to conquer the metaverse
• Epic Games is pumping $2 billion into the metaverse
• Nintendo plans to focus on real virtual worlds, not the metaverse

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It’s all part of the company’s vision for the metaverse, where you’ll use virtual worlds to play, work, and shop.

The existing Meta Quest 2 VR headset had a bumper holiday season, but that’s mostly focused on entertainment use. Meta is working on a higher-end VR headset, Project Cambria, which will be “focused on work use cases and eventually [replace] your laptop or work setup,” said Zuckerberg.

READ MORE: Meta is working on a digital metaverse wallet

READ MORE: How to check if your PC meets the requirements for a VR headset

Project Cambria will have sensors to track your facial expressions. Your virtual avatar will then recreate those expressions. It’ll also have other sensors that allow your virtual avatar to maintain eye contact.

On top of that, new optics will make the virtual worlds seem more realistic. That includes the ability to have objects with a sense of depth and perspective that isn’t available today.

Zuckerberg wants the company’s upcoming Augmented Reality (AR) glasses and other upcoming technologies to be an “iPhone moment.” That’s a change in how we interact with technology, with VR and AR becoming mainstream technologies.

READ MORE: Meta’s upcoming VR headset will reportedly be called ‘Quest Pro’

READ MORE: Meta’s first version of AR glasses will be aimed at developers

To do so, Meta is betting heavily on innovative technologies. It spent over $10 billion last year on its Reality Labs division, which is responsible for its AR and VR ambitions. Zuckerberg knows it won’t be profitable in the short term, and he’s looking towards a 2030 timescale.

Will Meta succeed in its vision? It’s too early to tell, but the amount of cash the company is willing to burn shows how driven to succeed they are.

Have any thoughts on this? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Meta is opening a physical store to conquer the metaverse
• This awkward VR controller is the Shake Weight of the metaverse
• Epic Games is pumping $2 billion into the metaverse
• This startup wants to make people feel actual pain in the metaverse

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The Presence Platform is part of Quest’s software that helps to bridge real worlds with virtual worlds. It tracks your hands with the forward-facing cameras and puts them into the software world that you’re seeing on the screens.

Designed to replace the hardware controllers, it can even figure out what your hands are doing if the camera can’t see all of your hands, like when you clap them together.

READ MORE: Meta thinks its next VR headset will replace your laptop

With the new update, the Presence Platform can identify the thumbs-up gesture, folded hands, high-fives, and other complex gestures. Improvements to other gestures have also been made, like pinching, grabbing, or poking.

READ MORE: Meta’s new parental controls make Quest VR headsets safer for kids

Meta doesn’t want to stop there. Eventually, it wants you to wear a wristband that will sense if you’re thinking about moving your arms, hands, or fingers.

That wristband will also provide tactile feedback, so your brain will think you’re touching virtual objects.

An inflatable glove is also being developed by Meta, although that’s still early in the development cycle. Other companies are trying different controller designs, like this “shake weight for the metaverse.”

Another company, one backed by Sony, is working on an armband that simulates a sense of touch and weight. Until hardware-based systems are more user-friendly, camera-based ones will have to do.

Have any thoughts on this? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• A Quest 2 Pro VR headset might be coming later this year
• This battery pack adds 1.5 hours of battery to your Quest 2 VR headset
• Amazon might be working on AR tech that doesn’t require glasses
• Apple’s upcoming mixed reality headset has been delayed…again

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Noticed by Protocol, Amazon has been posting job requirements for a long laundry list of specialists. These include “computer vision scientists, designers, program managers, product managers, researchers and technologists”; which could mean a new division at Amazon dedicated to all things Mixed-Reality (XR).

One of the job listings mentions “a greenfield development effort.” That’s the verbiage for a totally new development environment. It’s one being started from scratch without any legacy Amazon code being involved.

That’s exciting. Amazon has tried various AR technologies in the past, like the ‘3D’ screen on the Fire Phone, but nothing stuck with consumers.

A truly new product with new code could make something magical. Something like glasses-free augmented reality. Yes, the Fire Phone technically did this, and so did Nintendo with the 3DS.

Amazon does have a number of patents (shown above) for AR using room-scale projectors, which might come in handy.

Amazon hasn’t shown much interest in AR/VR/XR or the metaverse until now. Maybe that’s because they have retail on a virtual lock; you don’t need the virtual worlds if you own the real one.

Whatever their reasons, if anyone can make glasses-free augmented reality a reality, and fulfill my dreams of a Blade Runner-esque cityscape; it’ll be Amazon and its bags of money.

Have any thoughts on this? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Amazon prices are probably going up due to a new inflation surcharge
• Amazon Music is getting a price hike for Prime members
• Google launched its ‘Switch to Android’ app on iOS but with a twist
• The Pixel 6 has been rejecting incoming calls for some users

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The report cites an analyst from Haitong International Securities and claims the product may be delayed until 2023. Unfortunately, the report doesn’t really dive into what’s causing the delay. 

On the other hand, the report does point out that Apple will be using its own in-house chip. At this time, no other competitor is doing this. Additionally, according to the report, Apple’s mixed reality headset will feature more than 10 sensors and cameras.

As for the release date, apparently, no one really has a clue. For the most part, everyone seems to be hinting at the idea that Apple will push the headset to the public sometime in early 2023, but again, this is all speculation at this point.

READ MORE: Amazon might be working on AR tech that doesn’t require glasses

Apple’s headset is also now rumored to feature three displays. Two would be Micro OLED panels and one is expected to be an AMOLED panel.

Ultimately, many of the features are a mystery and it’s still not clear if people will need an iPhone or iPad to use the headset.

Have any thoughts on this? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• WWDC 2022 will be a virtual-only event starting on June 6
• Is Apple working on a game console?
• Apple’s upcoming VR/AR headset could cost buyers over $2,000
• Apple might offer subscriptions for iPhones and more in 2023

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Why? Well, for that we’ll go to an unusual source for Meta news, Ming-Chi Kuo. He’s usually giving us Apple forecasts, so the Meta news must be juicy.

He says that Meta’s upgraded Oculus Quest will use mini-LED for the displays, with a 2160×2160 resolution per eye. That’s a full 4K if you add them together, giving the Meta Quest 2 Pro some serious display credentials.

READ MORE: Meta Quest 2 prices are about to see a huge jump

READ MORE: Meta Quest 2 now has better hand tracking for high fives and clapping

The move to mini-LED also means Meta can use pancake lenses, which means an overall thinner headset. That’s because mini-LED puts out more light, which is necessary as pancake lenses lose more light than the fresnel lens in the current Quest 2.

According to Digital Trends, the Quest 2 Pro could also feature facial recognition and eye-tracking. That’s probably going to feature Tobii’s eye trackers, like on the Pico Neo 2 Eye which we found useful.

Meta will likely target a Christmas release for the Quest 2 Pro, as it did with the Quest 2 in 2020. That led it to be the best-selling VR headset, with over a million units sold that quarter. Over 47-percent of respondents to Steam’s latest hardware survey are rocking a Quest 2.

READ MORE: Meta’s new parental controls make Quest VR headsets safer for kids

Note that the Quest 2 Pro isn’t the same Project Cambria mixed-reality headset that would allow for virtual objects to be overlaid on your vision. That was expected in 2022 but is likely delayed.

Have any thoughts on this? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Meta will let creators sell virtual items inside of Horizon Worlds
• A bug in Facebook’s system led to a surge of misinformation
• TikTok’s ad revenue will surpass Twitter and Snapchat combined
• Apple and Meta handed over data to hackers pretending to be police

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See, the future of work might involve having your computer wherever you are, instead of the other way around. Nimo’s take is to float your computer screens in the air in front of you, removing all of that bulky hardware.

The smart glasses run a modified version of Android, with up to six screens in the virtual equivalent of a 45- to 50-inch screen. They’re created from two 720p displays in the glasses that are powered by the Snapdragon XR1 processor.

Internal batteries give you about 2.5 hours of use, with a carrying case that can recharge it while stowed.

That processor is plenty powerful enough for VR, but Nimo has set its sights on a different task. Instead of powering games, they want to power desktop use.

Think spreadsheets, word processing, and the occasional movie. There are no cameras to power, no depth sensors, and not even any speakers.

Instead of lugging your laptop around, they want you to carry Nimo smart glasses, your headphones, a Bluetooth keyboard, and a mouse. That’s got to be a lighter load for your shoulders, right?

The company is also touting the privacy aspect of its smart glasses. Think about it, if your screens are on the inside of your glasses, how can anyone peep over your shoulder? Perfect for sensitive company documents while you’re traveling.

If that sounds exciting, you can reserve your pair on the Nimo Planet website for $19. The eventual full price will be $799.

Have any thoughts on this? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Meta finally adds parental supervision tools in its VR headset
• Is ‘realityOS’ going to power Apple’s upcoming headset?
• These smart glasses help blind people experience the world around them
• Sony PSVR 2: pricing, news, rumors, features, and release date

The post Can these smart glasses finally replace your laptop? appeared first on KnowTechie.

Instead, parents will have to wait as Meta gradually rolls out its supervision tools. The first feature will be an expansion of the existing unlock pattern, starting in April.

In its current form, pattern unlock only works when the headset is first accessed. Meta is going to make it so you can set unlock patterns for specific apps.

READ MORE: How to switch from a Facebook to Meta account on Quest

In May, Meta says it will start age-gating apps in the Quest app store. Teens 13+ won’t be able to download age-inappropriate apps, as determined by the International Age Rating Coalition.

READ MORE: How to check if your PC meets the requirements for a VR headset

However, parents will be able to unblock individual apps if they trust their teen’s maturity levels.

Also in May, Meta’s suite of parental supervision tools will appear. Parent Dashboard lives in the Oculus mobile app and provides controls for blocking specific apps, access to Link or Air Link, and things like screen time statistics. It will also show any purchases the teen makes.

It’s a good start for Meta, who doesn’t exactly have the best track record on limiting harm to teens. Parental controls are only as good as the parent using them; so it remains to be seen how well they work once available.

Have any thoughts on this? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Which Oculus Quest 2 should you buy?
• Apple’s upcoming VR/AR headset could cost buyers over $2,000
• Meta warns users to sign up for Facebook Protect or risk getting locked out
• Sony PSVR 2: pricing, news, rumors, features, and release date

The post Meta finally adds parental supervision tools in its VR headset appeared first on KnowTechie.

Microsoft recently released its first Xbox wireless headset in several years. According to IGN Italy, several Italian users witnessed a strange message when first connecting their new headsets to their Series X|S consoles. The message translated to something along the lines of “The VR headset needs to be updated.”

However, it looks like this message is just an error. In a statement to IGN, a spokesperson for Xbox said, “The copy in this error message is inaccurate due to a localization bug. VR for console is not a focus for us at this time.”

VR has never really been a major priority at Xbox. In fact, Phil Spencer, who is the head executive of the company tweeted a couple of years ago about how VR gaming would not be a priority for the Series X|S. Still, many users would like to see the company taking VR gaming into consideration for the future.

Though there has been no official talk of VR for the Xbox Series X|S, this confirmation is still a bummer for Xbox gamers who want to try out VR gaming. There was talk back in 2018 of adding VR support to Xbox consoles, but that was scrapped in an effort to focus more on games users will play on their TVs. If VR gaming is a priority for you, it looks like you’ll have to go somewhere other than Xbox to find it.

Have any thoughts on this? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Xbox is going to win the console war without even selling any games
• 5 Bethesda titles are getting an FPS boost on Xbox Series X|S
• The PS5 is flying off of shelves faster than any console has before
• Nintendo could soon unveil a new model for the Switch with a larger OLED screen

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