Apple Apparently Testing AR Glasses, But Don't Expect Them Anytime Soon

Despite some insider rumors that Apple would announce its highly anticipated augmented reality glasses this week, nothing is so far forthcoming. Yesterday,  however, a developer more or less confirmed that those AR glasses do indeed exist, and that they're being tested -- because there's mention of a device that can be "worn" in the notes of its next operating system:

It comes to us in the form of this screenshot from iOS developer and reliable leak-finder Steve Troughton-Smith...

The screenshot pretty much says it all: Apple is testing an internal device known as “Garta,” and if you want to test your stereo AR apps with that device, you’ll want to set them to “worn” mode so that it can apply different “distortions” than if the app is being “held” instead.

Which implies that Garta is a stereoscopic AR headset — because that’s the kind of device you would wear, and which would adjust the way an augmented reality app would look to match lenses in front of your eyes. (AR and VR headsets typically adjust their computer graphics “projections” to properly stretch across your field of view while using as little processing power as possible.)

Click to embiggenate Troughton-Smith's screengrab of the OS notes. I'm far from an Apple Kremlinologist, but barring a miracle (more on that later) I wouldn't expect any mass market AR glasses announcement from Apple in the near future -- certainly not next year. A few reasons why:

Where's the signs of mass production? It's extremely difficult for a company like Apple to keep secret factory orders for, say, hundreds of thousands of headset frames, and I've seen no sign of those.

The chances of failure are high, while the rewards for success are still low. Apple is already extremely profitable from its iOS device sales, and stands to make even more profit from its new device-related content services. The prospects for AR glasses -- currently an extremely tiny market -- are very uncertain, and the memories of Google Glass' disastrous mass market launch are sure to be echoing in Tim Cook's head. Apple has little to gain from launching an entirely new hardware platform that consumers have so far ignored, and everything to lose by risking so much on what would be, at best, a marginal success. Apple could capture the entire AR market, and it would find itself king of a very tiny fiefdom of a few million citizens.

Then again, there's that miracle I mentioned: Specifically, surprisingly strong sales of Oculus Quest and other HMD devices during the holiday season. I mean sales into the tens and tens of millions, that totally blow out the SuperData forecast of a 50 million VR headset install base by 2022. That would demonstrate a substantial (if still relatively niche) market for HMDs, and therefore (potentially) for an AR headset from Apple.

Until then (if ever), expect Apple to keep testing and testing augmented reality, hoping for sign from consumers that may never come.

Comments

[myloweslife]

Apple is all set to launch the new iPhones, Apple Watch and new iOS features at its annual keynote scheduled to take place on September 10th. While Apple will announce the staple products.

[Joey1058]

Permit me to go off on a bit of a rant...

First of all, HMDs do exist in the wild. A company called Vuzix has been tackling hardware issues for decades. Their flagship product is called the Vuzix Blade. In my humble opinion, their glasses are every bit as good as Magic Leap, Hololens, or the current darling that is sparkling everyone's eyes, Nreal. The hardware isn't an issue. My issue is Apple.

For some ungodly reason, the industry has taken a "wait-and-see" approach in development that centers around Apple. We all know that Apple has been working on developing AR for some number of years. At first, buying up companies and patents. Then releasing ARKit. And now the buzz is all about it's U1 chip and Ultra Wideband tech. But somehow, they've been dragging their butts in releasing an HMD. So in the meantime, smaller companies are developing on what already exists.

Microsoft, true to form, had a great lead with it's Hololens. Yes, the first hardware released was bulky. So was the headset released from Meta. Meta, sadly succumbed to internal pressures. It comes with the business. In doing my research for this rant, I found this link, so the possibility exists for their return. But that's another story for another day. But MS had the opportunity to knock Apple and the rest of the industry on it's butt with the release of Hololens 2. So what do they do instead? They make it exclusive to enterprise, and ignore the general public. Even though they marketed it to the general public on it's release! So, like their lead in the cell phone market, they once again just stepped aside with a "wait-and-see" approach, focusing on the enterprise, rather than the potential they have in front of them. MS makes me crazy.

So now, it all boils down to Apple. Again. And they know it. And they are going to call the shots. Every last one of them. Never mind that the industry has been in development for literally years. Creating a set of standards like WebXR. Or SLAM. They will rub dirt in the faces of companies like Vuzix when they FINALLY announce their own hardware, as though they were the only ones to "get it right". And all the Apple fanboys will lie prostrate on the ground, facing Cupertino, and chant mantras to Tim Cook, their hardware saviour. Then after the hype is all done, I'll go to the bathroom in frustration and throw up...

End of rant.

[Rngilafansu]

You must be living in the United States:

[kimberlydres]

A large portion of the People realize Burger King is and a Chain Restaurant that has more than 11 Million clients who really have been Visited Burger King Restaurant.

[williamdaniel23]

Einstein Bagels have a value of your all the visit to them. They want to know your genuine feelings towards them after visiting the place. That is why they give you an occasion to speak to them through the Einstein Bagels Survey.

[unseb97]

Create beautiful online & mobile-ready surveys that get higher responses rates. Try our survey maker now for FREE! Collect better data with Typeform.

surveyz.onl

[take survey]

If you are interested to participate in the Customer Survey?a href="https://">https://medium.com/@berdeguezd/tellmands-c20c0dd616bc/"> tellmands

[activationmycards.com]

https://activationmycards.com/

Activate Your Sam’s Club Credit Card Very Easy
Activate Your Sam’s Club Credit Card Very Easy The Guide For Activate Sam’s Club Credit Card-2020 If you have recently

[markjosef123]

Einstein Bagels have a value of your all the visit to them. They want to know your genuine feelings towards them after visiting the place. That is why they give you an occasion to speak to them through the Einstein Bagels Survey.

click here

[markjosef123]

There are numerous gyms and health centers that care for the most part on men’s fitness while some give extra facilities to ladies. In any case, here’s a gym center that does precisely the inverse. This is solely for ladies while men additionally have a few open doors in a couple of their branches.

click here

[prince999]

How do you like the Talk to sonic survey? Sonic’s signature menu of hamburgers and French fries, as well as onion rings, corn dogs, chili dogs or it’s service? Now, you are allowed to share your feedback with the Sonic by completing the Talk to sonic survey.

[jellydown]

Customer satisfaction program is the right way for business improvement cause the customer can tell here all the queries and issue which they suffering during the visit.

[Camilezon11]

Avira Total Security Suite For PC Windows
Download Avira Total Security Suite for Windows PC – In this article, you can see how you can download and install the Avira Total Security Suite for Windows PC, Laptop, and desktop for free.

[Jennefir Lopez]

MyLowesLife is an employee login portal that can be used by employees and former employees of the company. Employees can contact their colleagues through the website. It is possible to exchange advice about workload or work schedule. In My Lowe’s Life, employees can also have important conversations with retired employees and other employees.

[Daiwik]

Well the survey is the process that can be filled by any customers because at last the company wants to know their customer satisfaction level. You are the lucky one if you get the chance to take part in survey. Because you are also benefited by this survey process. Win surprising prizes and offers or even the discounts are offered to the customers who completes the survey process. It takes your few minutes but you are offered rewards on your next purchase.

Omaha Steaks Customer Survey