Apple AR/MR headset again rumored to be unveiled in the spring ahead of fall release

Hot on the heels of an insight from respected industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo earlier in the week, who claimed that development of Apple’s long-rumored AR/MR headset has fallen behind schedule, delaying its planned debut this month, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has also claimed that Apple’s planned January announcement has been postponed, suggesting that the headset will be introduced this spring ahead of the annual Worldwide Developers Conference in June.

On Friday, Kuo claimed that issues with mechanical component drop testing and the availability of software development tools has forced Apple to postpone the device’s announcement, with Gurman today corroborating with Kuo by suggesting that the headset will be launched in the spring, with a release planned towards end of 2023.

According to Gurman, who shared information within the latest edition of his Power On newsletter on Sunday, “Apple has already shared the device with a small number of high-profile software developers for testing, letting them get started on third-party apps.” “While Apple still has many kinks to work out with the device —involving hardware, software and services, as well as how it will be marketed and sold — the company is banking on the product as its hot new introduction for this year,” he said.

The rumored device will reportedly feature two ultra-high-resolution 8K displays with a “bevy” of other features, including advanced eye-tracking technology, marking Apple’s first major new product launch since the original Apple Watch in October 2014.

In 2021 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 that the device will offer a “sleek, curved visor attached to the face by a mesh material and swappable headbands.”

Concept creator Ian Zelbo has released visuals showing what Apple’s new headset will probably look like based on earlier leaked information, featuring an Apple Watch-style adjustable headband and AirPods Max reminiscent mesh cushion for comfort around the wearer’s eyes.