Apple’s MR headset:
Apple’s mixed reality (MR) headset announcement, rumored to take place at WWDC in June, has been delayed until mid-to-late 3Q23 due to decreased optimism in recreating the “iPhone moment.” The delay in mass production has lowered the shipment forecast to 200,000-300,000 units, below the market consensus of 500,000 units or more. The device’s delay is due to compromises on hardware specifications for mass production, ecosystem and application readiness, a high selling price of $3,000-$4,000 or higher, and the economic downturn. Rumored MR specs include dual micro OLED displays, 120-degree FOV, and hand-tracking and voice recognition for control input methods. The headset’s design is expected to include aluminum, glass, and carbon fiber to reduce its size and weight, with an outward-facing display and a dedicated passthrough switch.
VRChat Mobile:
VRChat, a popular social platform in virtual reality, is getting a mobile version for Android and iOS. The company is currently testing the Android version, and some team members are already using it. The mobile version is compatible with Meta Quest headsets and will be available first to VRChat Plus subscribers in 3-4 months. It will be released to the public 3-6 months after that. The iOS release date is still unknown. Some worlds and avatars may need to be adjusted for touchscreen controls on Android devices. World creators are encouraged to optimize their worlds for 2D platforms and give feedback.
‘LYRA’ smart AR glasses:
Ostloong Innovations, a Swiss start-up, has unveiled its new product called ‘LYRA’ smart AR glasses. These glasses provide augmented reality and artificial intelligence features for office work, city life, and traveling. The glasses come with an integrated multilingual translator, AI-secretary, GPS, mobile data integration, and music player. The LYRA smart glasses allow people to access information through a digital augmented reality display that is superimposed on the user’s physical environment via an optical waveguide. The device can be controlled by a touchpad on the temple of the glasses. The glasses are designed to be used in both an office setting and for city navigation, enabling people to stay connected to relevant information in real-time while being focused on their surroundings. The glasses will be available for pre-sale on Ostloong’s website starting in September 2023.
