|
The
launch will see Apple test a market crowded with devices that
have yet to gain traction with consumers and put it in direct
competition with Facebook-owner Meta Platforms.
Like Meta's Quest Pro from last year and Quest 3 announced last
week, Apple's device is likely to blend a video feed from the
outside world with a virtual world displayed on screens inside
the headset.
Analysts expect Apple's headset to come with premium features
including a high-quality display and hand-tracking so it can be
controlled without an external controller. It's also likely to
cost much more than the planned $500 Quest 3.
Investors and tech fans alike will be focusing on how much
Apple's view of the virtual reality market overlaps with Meta's.
Meta Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg has outlined his vision for
using headsets to dip in and out of a "metaverse" where people
can meet virtually to work, play and spend.
In addition to Meta, Sony Group Corp and ByteDance-owned Pico
both recently released virtual reality devices.
Research firm IDC said companies sold a total of 8.8 million
headsets last year, down 20.9% from 2021. In the first quarter
of 2023, sales more than halved.
Apple's presentation on Monday is mostly aimed at sparking the
imaginations of the thousands of software developers who will
stream into Apple Park for a keynote address at 1 p.m. Eastern
Time (1700 GMT).
Apple will also deliver updates on its operating systems for
iPhones, iPads and Mac computers.
Investors will also look for updates on CarPlay, Apple's
software for vehicles, which the company said last year would
start to power more dashboard functions.
(Reporting by Stephen Nellis in San Francisco; Editing by Edwina
Gibbs)
[© 2023 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.]
This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Thompson Reuters is solely responsible for this content.
|
|
