According to respected analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple’s long-rumored mixed reality headgear would be powered by two processors. According to Kuo’s latest research study, the device will contain a main processor with the same computing capability as the M1 chip, as well as a secondary processor to handle all sensor-related computing, as seen by MacRumors and 9to5Mac. The headgear won’t need to be connected to an iPhone or a Mac now that both processors are in place.
- Capacity: Thanks to a pair of 4K Micro OLED panels from Sony, the device will be able to give both augmented and virtual reality experiences, according to Kuo. This is only possible because the M1 chip has the necessary processing capacity to support the screens.
- Processor: As for the separate processor for its sensor, it’s apparently necessary because “the computing power of the sensor is significantly higher than that of the iPhone.” Kuo expects the device to arrive in late 2022 and said Apple will make sure it can support a “comprehensive range of applications” with the ultimate goal of replacing the iPhone in a decade’s time.
- Prediction: Kuo’s prediction that the headset will be a standalone device goes against a report by The Information from September claiming that it will need to wirelessly communicate with an an iPhone, an iPad or a computer to handle most of its computing. That report also said that the headset will be aimed at developers and creators and will have a potential price of around $3,000.
- Launched: “We predict that Apple’s AR headset to be launched in 4Q22 will be equipped with two processors. The higher-end processor will have similar computing power as the M1 for Mac, whereas the lower-end processor will be in charge of sensor-related computing. The power management unit (PMU) design of the high-end processor is similar to that of M1 because it has the same level of computing power as M1”, Said Kuo.
- Reports: In a separate piece, 9to5Mac reports on Kuo’s belief that Apple sees AR as a long term project that could replace the iPhone in just a decade’s time.“Apple’s goal is to replace the iPhone with AR in ten years, representing the demand for ABF of AR headsets will exceed at least one billion pieces in ten years,” he wrote.
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