Bloomberg: Apple Developing Two New Headsets and AR Glasses

According to a recent report in Bloomberg's PowerOn newsletter by Mark Gurman, Apple is actively working on multiple extended reality devices beyond its current Vision Pro, including two new headset models and augmented reality glasses.

Vision Pro Improvements in the Works

Apple is focusing on addressing key criticisms of the current Vision Pro headset, particularly its weight and price point. The existing model weighs approximately 700 grams, which users have reported causes strain on the neck and head during extended use sessions.

At $3,500 (approximately 5 million won), the Vision Pro is priced comparably to Apple's most expensive laptops and costs more than seven times the price of Meta's Quest headsets. While Apple plans to address these cost concerns, Bloomberg notes that potential complications could arise from former President Trump's reciprocal tariff policies, as the Vision Pro is currently manufactured in China.

Wired Mac Companion Headset

Among Apple's in-development products is a headset designed to connect directly to Mac computers via a physical wire. According to Gurman, this tethered approach aims to provide extremely low latency performance that wireless systems cannot guarantee.

The report indicates that some professional Vision Pro users, such as medical professionals viewing surgical imagery and pilots using flight simulators, require minimal latency for their specialized applications. A wired solution could better serve these high-performance use cases while potentially offering a lower price point by offloading processing to the connected Mac.

Timeline Remains Unclear

Bloomberg's report does not specify release timeframes for either the improved Vision Pro model or the wired Mac companion headset. The current Vision Pro only launched in February 2024, suggesting Apple may take time to incorporate user feedback and technological advancements before releasing successor products.

Apple AR Glasses: A Long-Term Priority

Perhaps most intriguing is Gurman's reporting on Apple's augmented reality glasses project, which he describes as "one of Apple CEO Tim Cook's top priorities." However, the report cautions that such a product likely remains years away from release.

The development challenges are substantial, requiring breakthroughs in ultra-high-resolution displays, high-performance chips that can fit in eyewear frames, and ultra-small batteries capable of powering the glasses for several hours of daily use.

Apple's vision for these glasses reportedly includes "visual intelligence" capabilities, utilizing onboard cameras and microphones to provide real-time information about objects and places through Siri, Apple's AI assistant.

Privacy Considerations

The report reveals an ongoing internal debate at Apple regarding media recording capabilities for its glasses. While competitors like Meta have embraced camera functionality in their smart glasses, Apple is carefully considering whether to include similar features, given the company's strong privacy stance and its preference for encouraging iPhone use for photo and video capture.

This careful approach reflects Apple's broader strategy of differentiating its products through privacy-focused design choices, even as it works to expand its presence in the emerging extended reality market.

As Apple continues development on these various headset projects, the company appears to be pursuing a multi-pronged strategy: refining its premium Vision Pro experience, creating specialized solutions for professional use cases, and working toward the long-term goal of mainstream AR glasses that could eventually replace smartphones as personal computing devices.