Apple’s long-awaited mixed reality headset looks more and more likely to launch this year, but a new report cites a problematic development process that reflects a legacy Apple product with a mixed reputation. suggesting.
But in making this decision, Cook apparently “overruled early objections from Apple’s designers to wait for the technology to catch up to their vision.” And given that it’s “expected to cost about $3,000,” this speculation can’t help but think of the Apple Newton.
Exactly 30 years ago, in May 1992, Apple introduced a groundbreaking product called the Newton MessagePad. This product ushered in a new mobile computing platform called the PDA (or Personal Digital Assistant). The Newton also remained in development for his six years, stalled by internal disputes and priced prohibitively high at launch (around $1,860 / £1,540 / AU$2,400 at today’s prices).
Apple Newton Message Pad 100 (Image credit: Rama/Wikimedia) Of course, it’s unclear if the fate of Apple’s headset, rumored to be called the Apple Reality Pro, will follow the same path as the Newton, which was eventually discontinued in 1997. None, including launching a “marketing blitz for new products” (according to the Financial Times).
But the similarities don’t end there. The FT says Tim Cook is betting on the headset “to preserve his legacy” and “the first new computing platform developed entirely under his leadership.” increase.
Similarly, in the late 1980s, Apple CEO John Sculley (who saw Steve Jobs leave the company violently in a board battle with him) stabilized Apple and, like Tim Cook, method was profitable again, but was looking for an innovative launch. It will define the future of computing.
Like the Newton, if rumors are correct, Apple’s mixed reality headset will be built around a revolutionary new input system. Newton’s special talent was the handwriting recognition software that eventually laid the foundation for his iPhone. According to Bloomberg, the owner of his AR/VR device from Apple will operate it with his hands and eyes.
But initially, the headset, which is due to be unveiled at WWDC 2023 in June, appears to be limited to wealthy early adopters. According to the FT, Apple “expects to be able to sell only about 1 million headsets in his first 12 months,” which is comparable to iPhone and Apple Watch sales in their debut year. is less than
Analysis: A Reality Check on Apple’s Headsets Meta Quest Pro (above) likely to be the main rival to the rumored Apple Reality Pro (Image credit: Meta)
Apple’s Mixed Reality headset may ultimately prove to be more iPhone-scale success than the cursed Apple Newton, but these reports of a problematic development process are more likely to erupt between devices. It only increases the similarity.
The Financial Times notes that the first versions of new Apple products typically sell poorly, especially the original Apple iPhone and Apple iPod. The latter in total he sold less than 5 million units. This puts Apple’s projections for first-year sales of his AR/VR headsets at 1 million units in the first year.
But none of Apple’s game-changers so far this century (iPhone, Apple Watch, Airpods, and iPod) have come close to the $3,000 rumored high price tag of Apple’s next headset. . If it’s at, or close to, the price, it’s likely going to be a first-generation product with the ultimate aim of flagging a truly mass-market gadget.
When Newton finally arrived in 1993 (more than a year after its first public demo), it was technically impressive, but key features like handwriting recognition weren’t quite right out of the box. bottom.Hence the famous appearance in The Simpsons (opens in new tab) when Dolph wrote a note to Newton saying “Beat Martin”, it officially translated to “Eat Martha”.
Clearly, Apple’s upcoming headset needs to do a better job of living up to the considerable hype it has built over the past few years. We may finally get two more Apple AR/VR headsets in 2019, including much-needed cheaper models.And they could eventually lead to Apple glasses. There is a possibility
But Apple’s debut device for its xrOS augmented reality platform needs to avoid the Newton pitfalls if it’s going to be Apple’s next big hit.
