The Apple vs Meta AR/VR war is on a high note now, as we are getting solid rumors of the launch of Apple VR headsets in 2023. Also, according to some experts, Apple is working on mixed reality and AR glasses. Every development in this segment indicates that Apple is playing big this time to establish itself as the industry leader.
On the other hand, Meta is already dominating the AR/VR industry. Its Meta Quest 2 is, till now, the best VR headset for iPhone. Therefore, both brands are hustling to provide the most advanced headsets to their users. Are you excited to jump into the future of the Metaverse and virtual realm? Read along to find out how the two tech giants are progressing in the AR/VR space.
Apple’s entry into mixed reality
Tim Cook unveiled AR Kit at Apple WWDC in 2017. During the keynote, he said that in the future, one of Apple’s “greatest contributions” to the world might be their delivery of augmented reality.
Apple’s development of mixed reality headgear started in 2015. Early reports suggested that the development has been hampered and delayed by technology and leadership challenges. However, there are several leaks about the Apple VR headset’s design, features, costs, and even product testing. Besides, Apple has filed different patents on mixed reality, AR, and VR, thereby spreading rumors like wildfire in the industry.
From what we can gather, Apple’s mixed reality headset would stand out from its rivals primarily due to its custom-designed CPU. It may have over 10 sensors (including cameras) imported from Sony, Will Semi, Sunny Optical, and other suppliers.
Besides, it would have an “innovative three-display layout” with two Micro OLED screens and one AMOLED panel. The Apple Watch and AirPods Max will serve as design inspirations. But the company has not confirmed anything officially. And in reality, this high-tech product needs time to be developed. As per CNET, it will bear a hefty price tag of $2-3K and is anticipated around the middle of 2023.
Where does Meta stand in the VR space?
In late 2022, Mark Zuckerberg of Meta presented his endeavors for Metaverse and virtual reality. Indeed, he has staked the future of Meta on VR with an investment of close to $10 billion. Besides, during Meta Developers’ Conference, the new Quest Pro headset was showcased.
It costs $1499 and has Mixed Reality/augmented reality features linked to their Horizon workspaces. Mark Zuckerberg stated Meta and Apple are engaged in a “really profound, philosophical struggle” to create the Metaverse. Also, he said that Meta would present itself as the less expensive, more open rival to Apple. That statement was enough to ignite a fire between the two rivals.
Here is Zuckerberg’s remark on Apple vs Meta in the AR/VR segment:
I think it’s pretty clear that Apple is going to be a competitor for us, not just as a product but philosophically. We’re approaching this in an open way and trying to build a more open ecosystem. We’re trying to make more stuff interoperable with Android. We’re trying to develop the Metaverse in a way where you can bring your virtual goods from one world to another. We created the Metaverse Open Standards Group with a bunch of other folks that you just mentioned, and Apple didn’t join. But I don’t think that’s a surprise. Apple, for a few generations of computing now, has been the closed provider of computing.
Mark Zuckerberg
The CEO spoke about the upcoming competition with tech giant Apple in the metaverse ecosystem. While Apple believes in tightly integrating everything to build a better consumer experience, Meta is approaching this with an open mindset, working towards building a more open ecosystem and making it interoperable with Android.
However, Meta recorded low earnings for its headsets as it subsidized the selling price of the 128 GB Meta Quest 2 to $299 (at first, it was $399 for the same model and $499 for the 256 GB owing to inflationary difficulties). Zuckerberg has also expressed an ambitious vision of “a billion individuals in the metaverse spending hundreds of dollars apiece” by pushing the open metaverse forward.
Meta vs Apple AR/VR war – Final verdict
As of publishing this article, it seems Apple has its nose ahead because of the enclosed ecosystem, and we expect to get a revamped version of RealityOS called xrOS. Besides, Meta privacy and security issues are out in the open. So, users will obviously go for the more secure option. In summation, Meta needs to make significant steps to improve user privacy before it can take down Apple (at least in the AR space).
Therefore, there are numerous grounds for assuming that if Apple introduces its AR/VR headset in the future, it will have enormous success and eventually hold the majority of the market share. Meta Quest is neither playable nor marketed in China, so things don’t look bright for Zuckerberg’s innovation.
While we wait for more information on how things could possibly pan out, what are your thought on this situation? Let us know in the comments below!
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