Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) is planning a virtual reality headset that could eventually lead to the sale of augmented reality glasses, Bloomberg reported on Thursday.
What happened: The headset with the working name N301 is still in a prototype stage, while the glasses called N421 are known in an emerging stage as ‘architecture’.
The company, led by Tim Cook, plans to launch the VR headset as early as 2022 and it will go against each other Facebook Inc’s (NASDAQ: FB) Oculus, Sony Corporation (NYSE: SNE) PlayStation VR, and others, told people familiar with the matter to Bloomberg.
The glasses, on the other hand, are still a few years away, even though a launch in 2023 was previously planned, Bloomberg’s sources revealed.
The VR device is allegedly expensive and costs more than competing products. Apple could limit sales to one headphone per store, which according to Bloomberg’s calculations – with nearly 500 stores – would total annual sales at just over 180,000 units.
Why it matters: The Cupertino, California-based company plans to include its most powerful processors in the headset, and the tested chips beat the performance of its M1 Mac silicone, Bloomberg says.
See also: What to Know About Space and Apple’s Continued AR / VR Push
The iPhone maker has reportedly developed an approach that enables those with poor eyesight to place custom prescription lenses in the VR device.
In May, Apple acquired NextVR – a virtual reality startup that provides content for AR and VR headsets, including those made by its competitors.
Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOGL) (NASDAQ: GOOG) subsidiary Google is selling an enterprise edition of its AR product Glass, which he says is intended for ‘hands-free work’. The company ended sales of beta versions in 2015.
Related link: Oculus’ move to make Facebook accounts mandatory for users of its VR headsets is causing social media outrage
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