Apple may delay its AR glasses into 2023, report claims

This seems unfortunate. Apple may delay its AR/VR glasses into 2023 because it has hit some development issues, Bloomberg claims.

Apple feels the heat in pre-production, maybe

Apple had been originally expected to introduce the device at WWDC 2022. This was itself delayed against a previous 2021 deadline.

The report claims the company has hit some snags, including overheating, camera, and software problems, and is considering a delay as a result.

We have heard that these systems boast two processors (one for sensor information and another for the experience) and both an M1 MacBook chip and large power supply.

Despite the potential of a delay, Apple is it seems still pushing suppliers to meet deadlines in order that the company can have working units available by the end of the year.

Planning a route to market

The company it seems then plans to focus WWDC 2023 on how developers can build apps and services for the device.

It had originally intended to unveil the new product at WWDC 2022 in a few months as it wants to get developers on board to build experiences for the device. In the event the product is delayed we can still anticipate hints at what these systems will be capable of in the new iPhone operating system Apple intends introducing at WWDC in June.

Zooming out, Apple has still got an opportunity to introduce very limited quantities of these new systems in 2022, supporting these with its own and some selected third-party apps and a promise to open the platform up more widely next year. This feels like an approach to market Apple has used before, most recently with iPad to Mac apps.

Three chips together: M1, M1 Pro, M1 Max

Alternative story lines? All guess and maybe

If this were to be the case then it may suggest some limited information on the plans to be revealed at WWDC with a first sight of these systems in fall, but this may well be an overoptimistic pipe dream.

[Also read: Apple gathers the building blocks to invent tomorrow’s tech]

It is also possible the company wants to introduce the new platform to a live audience, rather than via a video conference. Given the enduring pandemic, it’s possible the company has decided that tech problems in combination with the need to hold WWDC online once again may limit its thunder, though this is also highly speculative.

Earlier ths week, analysts predicted that Apple will become the fastest growing and the second biggest AR glasses form factor by 2025, the analysts predict, with the US, Canada and China the biggest markets.

Ups and downs

To be fair, the entire history of this project has seen predictions of release slip, with some conflicting statements around the plan. For example, just this week Raymond James analyst Chris Caso said he wasn’t convinced the product would ship this year citing what they saw as low production volumes. It’s plausible we’re looking at a series of different stories here.

Meanwhile Apple watchers will be looking to Apple’s looming 5G iPhone SE3 launch event.

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