According to ’80s and ’90s movies, we should all be using virtual reality (VR) daily by now. But the tech has yet to catch on. People don’t want to be immersed in an all-digital world (We’re looking at you, Facebook metaverse).
Pokémon Go exposed the world to augmented reality. Millions of people chased these little monsters around, to the point of walking blindly into trees and lakes. Here we have a mix of VR and the real world.
Apple is throwing its hat in the ring with a $3,000 pair of goggles that incorporate Mixed Reality tech. Here’s what we know so far.
The next level
Mixed reality, or MR, lets the digital world interact with the real. Imagine looking at your bedroom through a pair of these goggles. The software can add furniture, pets and other objects that will react to what you’re seeing. Watch a virtual cat jump onto your windowsill and knock over a digital plant.
Unlike Apple’s typical sleek, polished products, these goggles are being rushed out to the public. They come with a bulky battery pack you’ll have to carry around.
Competition from Meta and Sony is forcing Apple’s hand, as those companies have had VR headsets available for some time. Microsoft is working on its own MR headset, too.
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Uses that could make Apple’s goggles popular
Here are some applications that could help Apple’s pricey specs catch on:
- Virtual fitness classes.
- Virtual meetings.
- More immersive education.
- Assist medical professionals.
- A tool for artists, designers and engineers to visualize their creations.
- Streaming providers use the goggles to enhance the viewer experience.
Indeed, if a few companies buy into the goggles and that becomes a snowball effect, Apple could sell quite a few of these gadgets.
Not one to be left behind
There’s no doubt about it: Apple is rushing an early-stage product to the market. The entire thing poses a significant risk for the company. Here are some of the risks:
- The price tag keeps the goggles out of reach for most.
- Who wants to lug around bulky goggles and batteries?
- There needs to be a compelling reason to buy into the tech. The iPod had digital music and the iPhone had a touch screen.
Of course, when your pockets are as deep as Apple’s, you can spend a few billion on a whim. And with time, we’ll see headsets shrink to the size of a regular pair of glasses. But we’re not there yet.
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