Apple’s mixed reality headset is coming this year, but the road to get there hasn’t been easy and it’s cost Apple some new features in the upcoming iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 operating systems.
That’s according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, who has an extensive report on Apple’s 2023 plans in the latest edition of his Power On newsletter.
Gurman claims that after multiple delays, Apple is finally getting ready to release its mixed reality headset ahead of the company’s Worldwide Developers Conference in June. It has a likely name for the device, Reality Pro, while the name of the operating system it runs, codenamed Borealis, is likely to be xrOS. The product, which is already in the hands of “a small number of high-level software developers” for testing purposes, could hit stores in the fall of 2023.
SEE ALSO: Apple’s Mixed Reality Headset Delayed Again, Report Says
This is in line with a recent report from Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who said the mixed reality headset is likely to be delayed in the second half of 2023 due to “software-related issues”.
The headset is likely to be an expensive high-end device and will come with an Apple M2 chip, more than 10 cameras inside and out, and very high-resolution displays.
To get there, Apple has had to use some resources from other departments, which could mean the company will have less to show when it comes to other products. Gurman says that the upcoming iOS 17 and iPadOS 17, as well as macOS 14, will have fewer major changes than originally planned.
Recommended video for you
How do I use the Apple Watch Ultra emergency siren?
As for other upcoming products, Gurman claims to see new MacBook Pros in the first half of 2023, but the rumored 12-inch MacBook isn’t happening. A high-end configuration for the upcoming Mac Pro has also been scrapped, while a larger iMac Pro likely won’t see the light of day until late 2023 or 2024.
Apple’s iPads and Apple Watch won’t see major changes, aside from small performance improvements, Gurman said, and the Apple TV and AirPods likely won’t be updated at all this year. A larger HomePod could return (the original was discontinued in March 2021), with a lower price, an updated touch control panel on top, and the S8 chip seen in the latest versions of the Apple Watch.
Finally, there is Apple’s flagship product, the iPhone. While the changes on the software side will be more modest than expected, Gurman says the new iPhone hardware could be impressive. Dynamic Island should appear on all four upcoming models, though only the Pro variants will get a new titanium bezel and touch-sensitive volume buttons. The new iPhones will finally get a USB-C charging port instead of Lightning, possibly because Apple has no choice but to make the switch in Europe.
Add Comment