Apple might be forced to delay the announcement of its long-rumored new AR/VR headset due to development problems including overheating issues according to Bloomberg, meaning that the headset may not be announced this year as originally suggested.
Citing people familiar with the product’s development, Bloomberg notes that while Apple had hoped to unveil the new headset at this year’s Worldwide Developers Conference in June, followed by a release later in the year, “development challenges related to overheating, cameras and software have made it harder to stay on track.”
Because of the production issues, Apple may now have to delay the AR/VR headset “until the end of 2022 or later, with the product hitting shelves by 2023,” the report suggests.
Last year we saw The Information publish a sketch of the upcoming headset, claiming to have seen secret internal imagery from an unnamed source “with direct knowledge” of the development, reporting the device will offer a “sleek, curved visor attached to the face by a mesh material and swappable headbands.”
Concept creator Ian Zelbo later released visuals showing what the new headset will probably look like with an Apple Watch-style adjustable headband and AirPods Max reminiscent mesh cushion for comfort around the wearer’s eyes.
Image: Ian Zelbo