Apple pushes back mixed-reality headset launch to June over hardware and software issues
- Apple now plans to launch the expected US$3,000 headset at its annual Worldwide Developers Conference as it tries to keep the release window in 2023
- The complexity of the device, which runs on an M2 chip and has 3D graphics, and battery life have introduced challenging and expensive problems
The iPhone maker is now aiming to unveil the product at its annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), said the people, who asked not to be identified because the plans are confidential. Apple made the decision to delay the launch earlier this month after product testing showed that both hardware and software issues still needed to be ironed out, they said.
The debut of the headset has been a long time coming, with Apple working on the technology since around 2015. At one point, the company aimed to introduce the product in June of last year, before pushing back the introduction until around January 2023. It was then shifted to spring before the latest postponement.
The device, which melds virtual and augmented reality, would vault Apple into its first major new product category since the company began selling smartwatches in 2015. That could help bolster growth following a recent slowdown, but it is still an uncertain market and Apple plans to charge around US$3,000 for the new product – a daunting price tag.
Dan Riccio – Apple’s former hardware chief, who now helps oversee the mixed-reality project – has become increasingly involved in the endeavour in recent weeks, as the company looks to resolve remaining issues, the people added. An Apple spokeswoman declined to comment.
Apple’s earlier plan was to unveil the product in early spring at a launch event aimed at consumers. It could then provide more extensive details and development tools to third-party software developers at the WWDC, its annual June expo. Now the company is aiming to debut all aspects of the device at that conference. The product would then go on sale later in the year.
The timing could always change again, but the Cupertino, California-based company is intent on bringing the device to market by the end of 2023 if possible. It is meant to be a centrepiece of Apple’s new product line-up during an otherwise modest year. The company is introducing a larger MacBook Air, new Mac Pro desktop and updates to the iPhone, but there will not be significant changes to its watch, AirPods or iPad.