Development has been suspended indefinitely due to technical issues, according to Bloomberg.
Apple plans to release a mixed reality headset this year, but has delayed development of its lightweight augmented reality glasses indefinitely due to technical issues, Bloomberg reported on Tuesday.
Apple’s AR glasses were expected to be released after the debut of its mixed reality headset, which combines elements of both augmented reality and virtual reality. But now the company plans to follow up this year’s release of its mixed reality headset with a cheaper version of the mixed reality headset as early as 2024 or early 2025, Bloomberg reported, citing people familiar with the deliberations.
Unlike virtual reality, which promises to immerse users wearing glasses into new and exciting digital worlds, AR overlays images and data on top of the real world.
The iPhone maker has made no secret of its AR ambitions for years. Apple CEO Tim Cook hinted that the company is gearing up for a big future in AR, saying it’s a technology potentially as important as the iPhone and unleashing a range of AR tools for its developers.
Apple has been integrating augmented reality into its devices for years, but the company is widely expected to release a much-hyped mixed reality headset in 2023, although the target release date for the AR/VR headset is still being pushed back. One observer expected an announcement as early as this month, while another aimed to unveil the headset in the spring ahead of the annual Worldwide Developers Conference in June.
2023 is looking like a year full of VR headsets that we originally expected in 2022, including the PlayStation VR 2 and Meta Quest 3. Apple has already dropped plenty of clues for AR, hinting at what its future in mixed reality might hold. active in AR for years on their own iPhones and iPads.
Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
