Apr 19, 2023 13:49:00

What is the strategy that Apple is taking to 'familiarize' the expensive and difficult-to-apply MR headset?

Apple has been developing MR (mixed reality) headsets for some time, and it is believed that it will be announced at the annual developer conference ``

WWDC 2023 '' scheduled to be held from June 6, 2023. However, it is extremely difficult to satisfy the customer's purchase desire with an expensive terminal that is regarded as 3000 dollars (about 400,000 yen) per unit. Apple is reportedly devising various strategies as a way to attract customer attention to this device.

Apple VR Headset to Run iPad, Sports Apps and Eye Scanning Feature at WWDC 2023 - Bloomberg
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-04-18/apple-vr-ar-headset-apps-sports-tv-fitness-gaming-wellness-ipad-features

According to officials interviewed by Bloomberg, Apple is focusing on integrating the 'iPad application' to make the MR headset 'Reality Pro (tentative name)' more friendly to customers.

As a result, existing iPad services such as games and fitness, as well as various apps such as Safari, calendar, contacts, stocks, mail, maps, messages, music, and weather will be available through the MR headset. is. In addition, it is said that it is also aimed at projecting a 3D model of the other party during a FaceTime conversation and watching sports in a VR space.

In addition to these basic apps, the e-book app Apple Books will also reportedly be optimized for headsets, allowing customers to read in virtual reality. There is also a function to take pictures of the scenery you see by operating the headset, and an application that supports meditation with graphics and sounds.

Another highlight is likely to be a service called 'Fitness +' developed by Apple for headsets, which will allow you to exercise while watching the instructor in VR. In addition, a headset version of

Freeform , an app that allows multiple people to share and work on a whiteboard, is also under development, allowing users to work together in mixed reality. .

To make these efforts a reality, Apple has been working with developers to help them upgrade their existing software for mixed reality. According to Bloomberg, Apple's stance of focusing on the gaming field among the functions included in the headset is a complete turnaround from Apple's policy of not focusing on the gaming category so far, and gaming is also an attractive feature of the headset. It can be predicted that it will be the center.

However, it is said that there are voices of doubts about the development within the company due to doubts about practicality and anxiety about the unproven market.

Employees raise questions about Apple's MR headset that is about to be released - GIGAZINE