After numerous postponements, the market is now firmly expecting Apple to introduce its first mixed reality headset in 2023. The hardware, which is probably christened “Reality Pro”, is said to mean that the group has to make cuts in other areas – with new Macs and iPads as well as with the features of new operating systems. The financial news agency Bloomberg reports on Sunday.
First developers are allowed to test
After at least seven years of development, the headset should finally be ready soon. However, the focus on the new hardware is leading to an otherwise “subdued 2023”, says the report. The presentation should now be planned “in the spring”, followed by the official introduction for developers at the WWDC 2023 developer conference in June. Deliveries will then begin in the fall.
Apple allegedly recently canceled a performance in January. According to Bloomberg, tests should already be carried out by a “small number of important software developers”. This allows them to work on their own apps. The operating system is said to be publicly called xrOS – for “eXtended Reality Operating System”. Internal codename is “Borealis”.
Apparently, the completion of the Reality Pro is at the top of the priority list for the group. Apple is said to have involved various internal software and hardware engineering departments to complete the project, and developers from the services area are said to have been consulted. As a result, other projects that are already suffering from delays and budget cuts are suffering.
Apple’s hardware year 2023
So 2023 will probably be a boring hardware year. For example, new, large 14-inch iPads were initially canceled, new Pro models will not come until 2024 (with a new design and OLED screens) and only small or no innovations are to be expected for the iPad mini, iPad Air and standard iPad. writes Bloomberg. Apple Watch, AirPods and Apple TV would also not get any major updates (except for minor improvements). A new, (again) enlarged HomePod is reportedly further on the list.
MacBook Pro models with 14 and 16 inches and M2 Pro and M2 Max chips are planned for the Mac – without further changes. An iMac Pro (with 27 inches) is apparently not planned, the (small) iMac should only continue with the M3. The MacBook Air may get a 15-inch display, but a new 12-inch model has been canceled. The first Mac Pro with Apple silicon remains on the agenda.
Software and iPhone 15
In the software area, Apple is said to have canceled some planned features for iOS 17, iPadOS 17 (code name: Dawn and macOS 14 (code name: Sunburst) due to the work on xrOS. the Pro variants are said to be getting a titanium case with solid-state buttons for the first time, USB-C and faster processors are also planned.
(bsc)
