Don’t expect Apple to follow others into the metaverse. According to Mark Gurman’s latest newsletter from Bloomberg, Apple rejected the idea of a metaverse (in this case, an entirely virtual world) for its longtime mixed reality headset. The very idea is “off limits,” Gurman’s sources claim. The focus would be on short periods of communication, content viewing and games.
Previous rumors have suggested the headset could launch later this year, though its specs and target audience are uncertain. Early information suggested it could have 8K resolution per eye, more than a dozen “inside-out” tracking cameras, and a developer focus that included a $3,000 price tag. Well-known analyst Ming-Chi Kuo suggested the headset would ‘only’ use 4K screens and six to eight cameras, however, hinting at a more affordable device.
If the claim is true, Apple’s approach to mixed reality would be very different from that of its rival Meta. Where Meta shifted its AR and VR strategies to the metaverse, Apple seems determined to avoid it. Whether or not this strategy can work is another matter. The strategy reported by Apple could pay off if the metaverses fight and could thwart Meta’s plans, limiting general interest in virtual worlds. However, if the metaverses are successful, Apple could lose out and support other VR environments.
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