Apple has been rumored to be working on AR Glasses and possibly some VR headsets for some time. According to a recent report, the company has now put these projects on hold.
Apple was expected to launch their first AR device in 2020. However, according to Digitimes, the company has now temporarily stopped developing these devices.
Apple’s temporary termination of hardware development of AR/VR headsets does not mean that it is not optimistic about the prospects of AR/VR. However, the timing is not yet at this stage. Apple may want to put R&D resources at a better chance to bear fruit. product line. This inference comes from the constant action of Apple’s AR patent application. Recently, Apple won the US Patent and Trademark Office AR patent, which aims to help visually impaired patients through AR. In February, Apple also approved another AR patent.
Apple’s Strategic Pause
If this rumor is correct, Apple has only stopped development of the devices for the time being, and they intend to start the project up again sometime in the future. This strategic pause could be due to several reasons. One possibility is that Apple is waiting for the technology to mature further. AR and VR technologies are still evolving, and Apple might be aiming to launch a product that is significantly ahead of its competitors in terms of functionality and user experience.
Another reason could be market readiness. While there is a lot of excitement around AR and VR, the consumer market might not yet be ready for a mainstream AR/VR device. Apple has a history of entering markets at the right time, often when the technology is ready for mass adoption and the market demand is high. This approach has worked well for them in the past with products like the iPhone and the iPad.
Continued Investment in AR/VR
Despite the halt in hardware development, Apple continues to invest heavily in AR/VR technologies. The company has been filing numerous patents related to AR/VR, indicating ongoing research and development in this area. For instance, Apple recently won a patent from the US Patent and Trademark Office for an AR system designed to assist visually impaired individuals. This patent suggests that Apple is exploring various applications of AR technology beyond just consumer entertainment.
In February, Apple approved another AR patent, further demonstrating their commitment to this technology. These patents could eventually lead to innovative features in future Apple products, whether they are AR glasses, VR headsets, or other devices that incorporate AR/VR capabilities.
Moreover, Apple has been integrating AR features into its existing products. The ARKit framework, introduced in iOS 11, allows developers to create AR experiences for iPhone and iPad users. This has led to a variety of AR applications, from gaming to education to retail. By building a strong foundation in AR through its existing devices, Apple is preparing both developers and consumers for a future where AR/VR plays a more significant role.
Future Prospects
While the development of AR glasses and VR headsets is currently on hold, it is clear that Apple sees a bright future for AR/VR technologies. The company’s ongoing patent filings and integration of AR features into its current products suggest that they are laying the groundwork for a major AR/VR initiative in the future.
As soon as we get more information, we will let you guys know. The future of AR/VR at Apple is still very much alive, and it will be interesting to see how the company leverages its extensive research and development to bring innovative AR/VR products to market.
Source, MacRumors
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