Apple, Meta Rivalry Brewing... XR Device Launch Imminent Rumors

Bloomberg Mark Gorman Report
"Software Operating System Name Changed to 'xrOS'"

Apple headset rendering (composite image). Photo by Ian Zelbo

[Asia Economy Reporter Minyoung Cha] Apple recently changed the name of the software operating system for mixed reality (MX) devices, which encompass virtual reality and augmented reality (VR·AR), sparking speculation that the device launch is imminent.

Mark Gurman of Bloomberg cited sources on the 1st (local time) saying, "Apple recently changed the MX software operating system name from 'realityOS' to 'xrOS'," indicating that the device launch is near. The 'xr' included in the operating system name is believed to stand for extended reality.

According to Ming-Chi Kuo, an analyst at TF International Securities, Apple is working on at least two AR projects, including an AR headset, aiming for a release by the end of 2022 or in 2023. Apple is also reportedly planning a new App Store specialized for gaming, video viewing, and video conferencing alongside the AR headset. Initially, the IT industry expected the AR headset to be unveiled at WWDC 22, the annual developer event in June this year.

The new virtual reality device is expected to be premium hardware comparable to Meta Platforms' (formerly Facebook) Quest series. It is anticipated to come in the form of AR glasses and contact lenses, equipped with two M1 chipsets, the same as those in MacBook or iPad Pro, offering high performance and portability. Bloomberg added that the addition of a new hardware category by Apple would be the first in over eight years since the Apple Watch was introduced in 2015.

If Apple's new product launch becomes visible, a competitive landscape centered on Apple and Meta is expected to form. Changes are also anticipated in the global virtual reality market, which Meta has led alone. Meta has maintained a 90% market share in VR with its Quest series. In particular, the annual sales volume of the 'Meta Quest 2' is estimated to exceed 10 million units.

Other companies are also accelerating product development. Google showcased an AR glasses demonstration video last May. Based on AR technology, the smart glasses provide real-time translation of other people's speech or text as captions to the wearer. Google is developing an AR headset called 'Project Iris,' aiming for a 2024 release. Samsung Electronics is also reportedly showing interest in the VR·AR business as one of its next-generation growth engines. Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Jong-hee Han stated at the Mobile World Congress (MWC), the world's largest mobile exhibition held in Spain last February, "Metaverse platform devices are a hot topic these days," adding, "Samsung Electronics is preparing well, so please look forward to it."