With increased odds that Apple may reveal its long-rumored mixed-reality headset, a new report suggests a troubled development and contentions on whether or not the headset is ready.
The Financial Times reports that Apple's operations team wanted to ship a "version one" product with a design resembling a pair of ski goggles. But the tech giant's industrial design team argued that it should wait until it was more feasible to make a "lightweight version of AR glasses." Apple CEO Tim Cook reportedly decided to greenlight the operations team's choice, deciding to "press ahead with a debut this year."
Apple has yet to officially announce its mixed-reality headset, with the headset reportedly in the works for the last seven years. Over the last several years, rumors have been made about what the headset may include, such as a hefty retail price and 8K displays. While other reports claim the headset may require an iPhone to function or feature Apple's M2 chip.
In the last few months, however, multiple reports point that a release date is slated for sometime this year, with a reveal expected to happen at Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference this June. While WWDC is typically known to focus on the next major software updates, such as iOS and MacOS, last year's WWDC surprised fans with new hardware announcements, such as unveiling the M2 chip and the first products supporting the new silicon.
Taylor is the Associate Tech Editor at IGN. You can follow her on Twitter @TayNixster.
