While Facebook has the idea that in a few years’ time mankind will dive into a whole new world with VR or AR headsets, Apple apparently wants to avoid users disappearing completely in a “metaverse”. Apple journalist Mark Gurman from the financial news agency assumes this Bloomberg out. According to his sources, the very idea of ​​a metaverse is “taboo” at Apple, and he was told this “rather directly”.
Metaversum = bäh
Accordingly, the first mixed reality headset that Apple seems to be working on for this year should also not be a “device for all day use”. Gurman says he’d be shocked if Apple announced a metaverse. The idea of ​​a completely virtual world into which users could “escape” – ie the vision of Facebook – will be the case with Apple therefore do not give.
This fits in with previous statements by Apple CEO Tim Cook, who has been touting the benefits of augmented reality (AR) for years. The iPhone group is therefore particularly interested in the connection between real reality and digital content. A complete immersion in a “metaverse” does not fit here – not even with the plan to install AR or mixed reality technology in real glasses in the coming years, as Apple apparently intends to do.
Fat chips, fat power supply
Another Apple observer, the unerring analyst Ming-Chi Kuo from Taiwanese financial institution TF International Securities, echoes Gurman’s views. According to its latest report to investors, Apple’s first mixed reality headset will draw plenty of power. The device is said to come with a 96-watt power supply with USB-C, as known from the faster MacBook Pro models of the current generation with a 14-inch screen. The fact that Apple is planning powerful hardware that may cost more than 3000 US dollars is considered a given in the scene.
According to Kuo, the power supply supplies two processors that come from Apple’s long-standing manufacturer TSMC – one is manufactured in the 5 nm process, one in the 4 nm process. The faster model of the two should be about as fast as Apple’s current M1 chips. Chip number two is used to control the built-in screen technology. Apple is said to be planning “innovative experiences” where users can seamlessly switch between AR and virtual reality (VR) seamlessly. In terms of computing power, the headset is said to be two or three years ahead of the competition, according to Kuo.
(bsc)
