XR Device Rapid Growth... "Apple Glass to Launch Next Year"

[Asia Economy Reporter Seulgina Jo] It is anticipated that Apple’s first virtual reality (VR) headset, Apple Glass VR, will be unveiled at the ‘Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2022’ held next spring. Following the growth of extended reality (XR) devices, including Facebook’s Oculus series, amid the spread of COVID-19, it is expected that Apple’s entry will significantly expand the market.

IT specialized media PhoneArena recently reported, citing Scobleizer, that Apple Glass VR will launch at next year’s WWDC. There had been speculation that Apple Glass VR might be revealed at this year’s WWDC, but it was not announced.

Currently, Apple Glass VR is said to be in the final prototype stage. It is known to be equipped with six lenses and a 3D LiDAR sensor. The price range is estimated to be around $1,000, higher than competitors such as Oculus and Sony.

After the VR headset release, Apple is expected to unveil the augmented reality (AR)-based Apple Glass. Apple began developing AR glasses in 2017 and subsequently acquired related companies such as NextVR. Apple has also patented technology that uses Apple Glass to bypass the unlocking process on devices like the iPhone and iPad. This is intended to enhance interoperability between Apple Glass and Apple devices.

The XR device market, encompassing AR and VR, has recently experienced rapid growth. According to the XR model tracker recently released by market research firm Counterpoint, XR device shipments in the first quarter increased approximately threefold compared to the previous year. The launch of Facebook Oculus Quest 2 is credited with driving this growth. The cumulative sales of the reasonably priced Oculus Quest 2 have reached 4.6 million units.

Currently, Facebook holds a market share of over 70% in the XR device market, followed by China’s DPVR and Sony. Specifically, VR devices have a higher market share than AR devices. Counterpoint Research diagnosed that “due to the absence of representative products and market, the AR device market is still in its early stages.”

Counterpoint Research forecasts that with Apple’s entry and others, the XR market will record double-digit growth over the next four years.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.