Apple fans who have long been waiting to see the rumored mixed-reality headset might finally see the much-awaited device in March 2023, according to DigiTimes.
According to 9to5Mac, the first version of the operating system that will run the mixed-reality headset should be ready for next year. Moreover, the development of the operating system "is wrapping up internally," according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.
Apple is Continuously Hiring Teams to Work on the Mixed Reality Headset
According to MacRumors, the Cupertino-based company is moving forward on the development of its mixed-reality headset. Report says that Pegatron will be the exclusive partner for final assembly of the device.
Based on the headset's current status in the manufacturing validation process, it is predicted that mass production of the headset is likely to begin in March 2023. In addition, the online news site said that its unveiling could possibly happen the following month.
As one evidence that the company is ramping up its work on the headset, Apple is continuously hiring teams working on the mixed-reality headset and other AR/VR technologies.
Likewise, the company keeps on making changes to the team working on the headset, which is known as "Technology Development Group," or TDG.
Based on Apple's job listings, it appears that the company wants to involve third-party apps to its mixed-reality headset.
The company seems to be seeking for engineers who will "work on the App Intents framework to help design and implement solutions." These include Shortcuts, Search, Siri, and others.
There is one job listing for the TDG targets engineers who will work on making "tools and frameworks to enable connected experiences in a 3D mixed-reality world."
It is also notable that the company recruited Dave Scott. He is a former Apple senior manager who worked on the company's Project Titan self-driving car team until 2021.
He departed from the project to serve as the CEO of a healthcare startup. But while on the Project Titan team, he was responsible for leading teams "working on robotics connected to the car."
With Scott's background on medical and robotics technology, Gurman says that his involvement in the project could possibly indicate health application for the headset.
Initial Production of Mixed Reality Headset Will be Limited, Report Says
According to MacRumors, it is expected that the initial production of the headset will be very limited. The headset is also expected to have a high price point.
The manufacturing partners of Apple are reportedly willing to work with the company on the project to prove their technical capabilities.
The move is despite of the low profitability on production of the initial headset. This is in order for them to be well positioned for future AR/VR products.
For a number of years, Apple has been working on AR, VR, and mixed reality headsets. However, the company has reportedly faced some development struggles, which have slowed down its progress.
There have been earlier rumors that suggested that the company might show off the headset sometime in 2022. However, in June, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said that the company would possibly target a January 2023 introduction.
The report of DigiTimes is not necessarily different from Kuo's, as the analyst suggested that pre-orders of the headset would not start until the second quarter of 2023.
