Skip to main content

New report suggests Apple will launch augmented reality headset in 2020

Apple has been rumored to be working on an augmented reality (AR) headset for some time, and now fresh rumors suggest that the company could launch the headset relatively soon. According to a new report from Bloomberg that cites well-known analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple is targeting a 2020 release for the new device.

The report also sheds some light on what the headset might be capable of. According to the report, the headset will sync with your iPhone to deliver messages, mapping data, and even games straight to your eyes. Apple may also implement a dedicated App Store for the device, similar to the Apple Watch App Store that was launched this year as part of WatchOS 6.

The report is quick to highlight that Apple is still working on the device, and may end up pushing it to a later date if it decides that the headset isn’t ready in 2020. Apple reportedly has yet to figure out a use case that would really sell the device, and could end up pushing it to 2021.

Next year in general is likely to be a big one for Apple. Notably, the 2020 iPhone will likely come with a range of new features, as well as a design revamp, considering that the current iPhone design is currently on its third generation. Not only that, but the device may also offer an in-display fingerprint sensor, 5G support, and a faster processor. Apple may also launch new Macs that run on ARM processors, similar to those in the iPhone, and may bring sleep-tracking to the Apple Watch.

Augmented reality has been brought into mainstream use through mobile-based applications, but using it in actual headsets could revolutionize mobile technology. Many predict that over the next decade or so, smartphone technology will be implemented into augmented reality headsets, and that could cause the end of the smartphone altogether. Others suggest that, at least in the near term, AR headsets will likely be more like accessories, or an extension of the smartphone, similar to how the smartwatch is in most cases today.

We’ll have to wait and see exactly when, or if, Apple ends up releasing an AR headset, but if it does, it will likely help create an all-new category in popular tech.

Editors' Recommendations

Christian de Looper
Christian’s interest in technology began as a child in Australia, when he stumbled upon a computer at a garage sale that he…
Apple working on 20-inch foldable device, new report claims
A close-up of the Apple logo on a 2020 M1 Mac Mini, with MacOS Monterey reflecting onto its surface.

Apple is working on a foldable iPad/MacBook hybrid with a large 20-inch display, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman -- a reporter with an impressive track record when it comes to Apple rumors.

The tech giant is looking at the idea of making a “dual-screen, foldable MacBook/iPad hybrid” that would use “one side of the display serving as a virtual keyboard,” according to Gurman’s unnamed source.

Read more
Apple’s VR headset could get these surprise iOS features
A person wearing a virtual reality headset.

Recent weeks have brought some interesting revelations about Apple’s upcoming mixed-reality headset, including details on its realityOS operating system. Now, a new report says the device could use two staple features of iOS: Memoji and SharePlay.

The news comes from reporter Mark Gurman, who has a history of providing accurate leaks and rumors regarding Apple devices. In his latest Power On newsletter, Gurman explains that Memoji and SharePlay will enable Apple’s headset to provide a FaceTime experience similar to what Apple users already get on iOS and MacOS.

Read more
Apple may have just leaked its VR headset’s operating system
A man using a virtual reality headset with controllers.

If the rumors are correct, Apple’s upcoming mixed-reality headset is going to be packed with advanced features, from detailed eye tracking to a blend of augmented and virtual reality. The device is going to need a powerful operating system -- and it looks like Apple might have accidentally just leaked its name.

As spotted by iOS developer Matthew Davis, an official-looking Apple GitHub repository makes reference to the name “realityOS,” and we don’t expect this was intended for public consumption given Apple’s extreme secrecy. In fact, the code refers to realityOS nine times, with hints as to its purpose and capabilities sprinkled throughout.

Read more