Apple developing headset with both AR and VR tech
Apple is reportedly developing a headset which will run both augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) technologies. Slated to release by 2020, it will be the company's first dedicated hardware in this area, where it's so far been losing out to Microsoft, Google, and Samsung. The headset is codenamed "T288" and is speculated to be similar to Microsoft's HoloLens in terms of concept.
According to reports, the headset will feature an 8K display for each eye and cameras to detect the surroundings. Currently, even the best VR headsets barely reach 4K per eye. The 8K display will be "higher resolution than today's best TVs and would be untethered from a computer or smartphone," a report stated.
The headset will connect to a dedicated box through a high-speed, short-range wireless technology called 60GHz WiGig. Further, this box will be powered by a 5-nanometer proprietary Apple processor (not released yet) and would be the brain of the headset. If true, the headset would be completely wireless and solve the VR market's one current major issue of dealing with too many wires.
Apple has so far invested in smaller VR projects and already integrated AR in its latest OS. Its "ARKit" development platform helps iPhones recognize surfaces to place virtual objects, "integrating real-world images into AR experiences." ARKit also powers Animojis. The headset is in early stages so Apple can very well either change or scrap the project altogether.
