You‘ve likely seen the news. Apple is secretly working an a long-rumored "Reality Pro" headset with game-changing potential. As an industry analyst closely tracking the augmented reality and virtual reality categories, I‘ve compiled everything we know so far about Apple‘s plans for their headset and the next-generation "xrOS" software that will power it.
Why Apple‘s Leap Into AR/VR Matters
For a company known for iPhones and MacBooks, a premium mixed reality headset marks an ambitious departure – and Apple isn‘t approaching this lightly…
Augmented (AR) and virtual reality (VR) have sputtered for years failing to enter the mainstream. But Apple‘s meticulous planning around its Reality Pro headset and xrOS reveals their intention to finally deliver AR/VR‘s watershed moment.
We saw this playbook before when Apple introduced the iPhone in 2007 and iPad in 2010 – perfectly timing advancements in hardware and software to make their devices accessible to hundreds of millions.
They approach the Reality Pro with that same potential to radically transform how we interface with information, interact with remote colleagues, enjoy entertainment and visualize data.
It represents Apple‘s first shot at pioneering an entirely new device category since Apple Watch, and expectations couldn‘t be higher…
The Reality Pro Hardware – Name, Design, Launch Timeline
Code named "N301", the Reality Pro hardware carries enormous anticipation. Here‘s an exhaustive look at leaked details surrounding the headset itself based on the latest credible reports:
Names & Trademarks
In August 2022, a US Patent & Trademark Office listing first revealed Apple‘s naming considerations:
- "Reality One"
- "Reality Pro"
- "Reality Processor"
The interchangeable Pro/One branding strongly signals this initial headset will be labeled Reality Pro upon release.
Industrial Design & Form Factor
In October 2022, the first purported images of the near-final Reality Pro design surfaced. They showcase:
- Smooth curved visor resembling Oculus Quest headset
- Wrap-around mesh fabric with integrated audio (similar to AirPods Max)
- A separate battery pack that clips onto waist belts
Additional details point toward a 300 – 400 gram total weight based on lightweight aluminum/carbon fiber materials and 10+ integrated cameras for tracking.
The Reality Pro overlaps more with existing VR hardware in size compared to slim AR glasses. But its ability to shift between virtual and augmented viewpoints separates its from competitors focused solely on VR experiences.
Launch Date
Rumblings in early 2022 suggested a January 2023 product unveiling, but updated guidance now points toward an announcement by end of 2023 either at a dedicated spring press event or Apple‘s Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) mid-year alongside new software like iOS 17 and macOS 14.
Industry sources citing supply chain check-ins expect less than 1 million Reality Pro units shipping in 2023 – constrained like early Apple Watch releases. Broader consumer availability with much higher production volumes is projected in 2024.
A Deeper Look at Standout Reality Pro Features & Capabilities
Respected Apple reporter Mark Gurman from Bloomberg recently detailed several standout Reality Pro features which give us further insight into its hardware potential:
Virtual Screens
The Reality Pro is rumored to leverage its exterior pass-through cameras to anchor as many as four virtual monitors in your environment. This allows focusing on different tasks without narrow FOV limitations.
Mixed Reality Mode
Tapping into both AR and VR capabilities, the Reality Pro is said to toggle viewing modes depending on use cases:
- A thin virtual bar drops down to quickly launch apps/widgets without removing the headset
- Vice versa, augmented graphics overlay real-world surroundings
3D Versions of Apple Apps
Beloved Apple apps optimized for the Reality Pro experience represent low-hanging fruit for customer excitement and engagement:
- Imagine walking through vast cityscapes using a 3D version of Apple Maps
- Connecting with friends and family via AR FaceTime video calls
- Browsing your photo library in an immersive 360 theater
Third-Party Partnerships
Gurman also reports heavyweight creative talent like director Jon Favreau already developing exclusive Reality Pro experiences. This content represents crucial draw for early adopters.
Intuitive Input Methods
The Reality Pro purportedly tracks precise hand movements to register gestures as input commands. Sources also claim work on gaze tracking and an alternate keyboard for typing without removing the headset.
Extended Battery Life
While Apple has filed patents for radically different battery solutions powering wearables (including solar), the Reality Pro will sport detachable battery packs. Hot swapping fully-charged replacements represents the easiest reliability fix.
Apple Silicon
The Reality Pro is slated to run on Apple‘s cutting-edge M2 chip announced in June 2022 combined with a custom-designed Apple processor dubbed the "Reality Processor". This purpose-built silicon will handle graphics-intensive AR/VR capabilities.
Reality Pro vs. Meta Quest Pro vs Microsoft HoloLens 2
The Reality Pro will undoubtedly draw constant comparisons to existing AR/VR market leaders, so let‘s see how the hardware stacks up:
| Product | Reality Pro | Meta Quest Pro | Microsoft HoloLens 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Release Year | Expected 2023 | October 2022 | November 2019 |
| Weight | 300 – 400g | 722g | 566g |
| Starting Price | $3,000+ (rumored) | $1,500 | $3,500 |
| Battery Life | TBD | 1-2 hours | 3+ hours |
| Form Factor | VR headset | VR headset | AR head-mounted display |
| Tracking Capabilities | limb, hand, eye, spatial | limb, hand | limb, hand, spatial, eye |
| Noteworthy Features | high-res dual displays (rumored),MR mode, Apple Silicon | pancake lenses, self-tracking controllers, eye/facial tracking | enterprise focus, hololens sensors |
| Users | Consumer & Enterprise | Consumer & Enterprise | Enterprise-only |
While the Meta Quest Pro and HoloLens excel at either VR or AR, rumors point toward the Reality Pro combining both extended reality technologies for incredible versatility.
And that‘s just the headset hardware itself. The Reality Pro will be powered by…
Introducing xrOS – The "Reality" Operating System
As significant as the Reality Pro itself is the foundational xrOS software expected to redefine user experiences and app development across augmented and virtual realities.
Here‘s what we know about the secret OS years in the making:
Origin Story
References to "RealityOS" trace back as early as 2017 per reports when Apple engineers began conceiving an AR headset OS codenamed "Garta" paired with a smartglasses UI.
These software ambitions centered around developing a complete home operating system navigable hands-free via eye tracking and voice commands.
Now in 2023, the long-rumored AR/VR OS intended for Apple‘s debut headset should finally be unveiled as xrOS.
Expected Features
Given secrecy and security shrouding Apple, concrete xrOS functionality remains closely guarded. But credible reports indicate environment scanning, spatial recognition and physics engine integration were early development priorities – hinting at some capabilities:
- seamless mapping/placement of AR objects
- analyzing home spaces on atomic level
- advanced hand/limb/eye tracking
Additionally, given multi-year rumors of Apple‘s work on a Siri-based homeOS for headsets plus their focus advancing conversational AI capabilities, I expect xrOS will enable sophisticated voice-first controls leveraging enhanced Siri intelligence from streams of anonymous requests.
This means navigating the Reality Pro UX hands-free using only your voice for incredibly intuitive control never before seen from existing rivals.
Integrations With iOS, macOS & More
We know Apple‘s last round of OS software updates for iOS 16 and macOS Ventura quietly added support for pairing an external VR headset. It‘s reasonable to expect xrOS will sync tightly across Apple‘s ecosystem.
I predict options will exist to:
- view iPhone notifications inside the Reality Pro
- leverage Mac content libraries
- enable shared AR experiences between multiple headset users
- live demo VR environments to desktop/mobile devices
This cross-compatibility means the Reality Pro will truly extend rather than replace existing Apple hardware. It aims to serve as an accessory enhancing experiences versus a standalone island.
Developer Tools
Any successful VR/AR platform needs a thriving developer ecosystem crafting groundbreaking apps and experiences.
Apple acquired VR startup NextVR in 2020 alongside gaming veteran Richard Kerris from Lucasfilms to lead developer relations. Significant ramp-up of their existing ARKit and RealityKit frameworks is anticipated as well.
I expect Apple to announce thrilling new xrOS-specific developer tools and updates alongside the Reality Pro launch later this year. These resources should empower both internal teams and the world‘s 1.8 million registered iOS developers to build a reality app ecosystem unparalleled in breadth and innovation.
What This All Means for Apple and Consumers
It‘s impossible to overstate the ripple effects Apple‘s big swing into AR/VR stands to generate through the creator economy as well as how everyday users leverage technology.
Similar to the App Store explosion kickstarted by the iPhone, Apple‘s meticulously designed Reality Pro headset powered by proprietary xrOS software is poised to transform everything from 3D spatial computing to always-available social connection to lifelike entertainment immersion.
Over the past half-decade, Apple acquired startups, recruited elite talent and filed foundational patents all culminating in 2023‘s highly anticipated Reality Pro launch just months away.
As consumers, it means witnessing the dawn of the next era in human-computer interfaces guided by the most successful consumer technology company ever. An era where information and colleagues no longer hidden behind physical screens become virtual 2D windows floating effortlessly around our 3D environments in real-time.
An advent where persistent augmented worlds dance alongside our concrete surroundings…where field technicians perform intricate repairs with AI guidance beamed directly into eyesight and hands-free telepresence enables joining meetings around the globe via projection.
All driven by a slick new Apple product category supported by an unmatched reality ecosystem tailored for both businesses and everyday exploration.
This is the radiant potential of the Reality Pro and xrOS. And it may redefine everything we know about technology connection in the years ahead.
I don‘t know about you, but I cannot wait to go hands-on with Apple‘s vision when these long-rumored products finally (likely) get unwrapped later this year!
