Apple is reportedly working on an untethered VR-AR headset that would feature an 8K resolution per eye:
Apple has long been rumored to be working on a pair of augmented reality glasses, but a report today suggests that they're looking to compete with Google, Microsoft and Facebook in the virtual reality space as well.
CNET reports that Apple has its eye set on the 2020 release of a wireless headset that combines AR and VR technologies. The report also gives specific details for the project internally referred to as T288. Namely, sources told CNET that the headset will have an 8K display for each eye and will connect wirelessly to a dedicated "box."
One of the general assumptions many in the market had been operating under was that Apple might "skip" entertainment-focused VR altogether in favor of approaching the lifestyle-focused AR technologies that put a digital layer between users and the real world.
Apple may use its own MicroLED displays for headsets. Apple also has a patent for an eye-tracking system that could be used in a headset.
Also at The Verge, Fortune, and BGR.
Related Stories
Inside Apple's Secret Plan to Develop and Build its Own Screens
Apple Inc. is designing and producing its own device displays for the first time, using a secret manufacturing facility near its California headquarters to make small numbers of the screens for testing purposes, according to people familiar with the situation.
The technology giant is making a significant investment in the development of next-generation MicroLED screens, say the people, who requested anonymity to discuss internal planning. MicroLED screens use different light-emitting compounds than the current OLED displays and promise to make future gadgets slimmer, brighter and less power-hungry.
The screens are far more difficult to produce than OLED displays, and the company almost killed the project a year or so ago, the people say. Engineers have since been making progress and the technology is now at an advanced stage, they say, though consumers will probably have to wait a few years before seeing the results.
[...] Right now smartphones and other gadgets essentially use off-the-shelf display technology. The Apple Watch screen is made by LG Display. Ditto for Google's larger Pixel phone. The iPhone X, Apple's first OLED phone, uses Samsung technology. Phone manufacturers tweak screens to their specifications, and Apple has for years calibrated iPhone screens for color accuracy. But this marks the first time Apple is designing screens end-to-end itself.
MicroLEDs could have several advantages over today's OLEDs:
microLED, also known as micro-LED, mLED or µLED, is an emerging flat panel display technology. As the name implies, microLED displays consist of arrays of microscopic LEDs forming the individual pixel elements. When compared to the widespread LCD technology, microLED displays offer better contrast, response times, and energy efficiency. [...] Unlike OLED, microLED is based on conventional GaN LED technology, which offers far higher total brightness than OLED produces, as much as 30 times, as well as higher efficiency in terms of lux/W. It also does not suffer from the shorter lifetimes of OLED.
Also at 9to5Mac.
(Score: 2) by The Mighty Buzzard on Tuesday May 01 2018, @11:09AM
Damn, I was hoping the AR stood for ArmaLite Rifle.
My rights don't end where your fear begins.
(Score: 3, Insightful) by c0lo on Tuesday May 01 2018, @12:09PM (2 children)
Keep the reality out and the user in.
This is no longer a walled-garden, this is a user jail.
Wanna bet how many will pay to be prisoners?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoFiw2jMy-0 https://soylentnews.org/~MichaelDavidCrawford
(Score: 2) by Freeman on Tuesday May 01 2018, @06:56PM
There's already a game or two about that. That would be some crazy VR experience, though.
Joshua 1:9 "Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee"
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday May 01 2018, @08:32PM
Its not jail if you willingly enter it. It is more of an outpatient in a mental hospital...for the consumeristically insane.
But seriously. Who cares about this outside of fan boys?
Given their history:
They will release a stupidly expensive, walled garden, iphone-tied product that will cost 2x+ what the nearest competitor is charging. The software will be mediocre to shite and the entire ecosystem will revolve around sucking your CC dry on app purchases.
Certain people will rave about it and claim it is the second coming of christ (esp. kept reviewer on youtube et al) even it is simply rubbing Steve Jobs' ashes on your eyeballs and claiming you are augmenting reality through your tears. We know who they are.
All hail Jobs!