Is Apple's next big thing a virtual reality headset, and will it be unveiled next week?

Next week at Apple’s headquarters in Cupertino, the corporate will host its annual Worldwide Developers Conference.

It’s an occasion the place the following era of software program for iPhones, iPads, Macs and all different Apple merchandise are revealed, together with any new {hardware} the corporate has to supply.

2023 could possibly be very completely different, with rumours and hypothesis suggesting Apple would possibly reveal their first digital actuality headset subsequent Tuesday morning.

A rendered image of what an Apple-made virtual reality headset could look like. — A rendered picture of what an Apple-made digital actuality headset might appear like. (Twitter/Ian Zelbo)

Any such machine, being an all-new class for Apple, can be the primary new product vary because the Apple Watch was introduced in 2014.

Perhaps to be referred to as the Reality Headset or one thing comparable, it is rumoured to be a mixture of digital and combined (or augmented) actuality.

It’s been eight lengthy years since Samsung dabbled in digital actuality, strapping smartphones to our heads in VR headsets for a 360-degree immersive gaming or product expertise.

Since then, the panorama is dominated by two primary firms: HTC with its Vive vary of VR headsets, and Meta (Facebook) and their Oculus.

Just yesterday, Meta’s Oculus vary obtained an replace but when the experiences are to be believed, Apple will – because it usually does – take issues to a different degree.

3D Artist Ian Zelbo produced a conceptual design of what the headset would possibly appear like, utilizing design cues from current merchandise within the Apple vary, but it surely’s but to be revealed what the rumoured machine will really appear like – whether it is actual, that’s.

Entering this house will likely be an enormous gamble for Apple.

Today, VR headsets are becoming into two classes: business or gaming.

Businesses use them for coaching and simulation work, whereas players love the immersive all-round expertise of a VR headset.

Will that work for Apple within the mass market? And can they preserve the costs in verify?

Meta’s headsets will be discovered for nicely underneath $1000, whereas HTC is extra usually nicely over $2000.

Given the variety of sensors and cameras Apple has doubtless packed into any such machine, it is potential this new product could possibly be nicely over $3000 or $4000.

The greatest challenge for Apple, in the event that they do get into this product class, is demand. What is the demand from customers for this? What will the common iPhone consumer do with a VR headset?

Only time will inform, however whether it is actual, all will hinge on how the machine is demonstrated and offered to audiences subsequent Tuesday morning.

Apple’s WWDC Keynote takes place at 3am subsequent Tuesday, June 6. Trevor Long will likely be in Cupertino as a visitor of Apple to carry you all of the news right here at 9news.com.au.