Apple is prepping for its “Post-iPhone” era. They have hyped up their latest invention as their biggest release since the iPhone in 2007. According to Bloomberg columnist Mark Gurman’s weekly “Power On” newsletter, Apple’s next big product launch will be its first mixed-reality (MR) headset, set to debut on June 5, 2023. It looks like an iPhone for your head.
This launch marks the beginning of a new era for Apple, as it moves beyond the iPhone and into a world where people interact via headsets instead of touchscreens. In addition to the headset, Gurman expects Apple to release its xOS operating system, accompanying services, and a software development kit and platform to enable the creation of new types of apps. We can imagine people will begin communicating with these things.
An invitation sent out by Apple last week for the Annual Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) provides some clues, Gurman noted. The graphic is an outline of Apple’s spaceship campus, suggesting that the conference will be held at the company’s headquarters. The second graphic, an outline of a rainbow structure on Apple’s campus, resembles the curved shape of the Apple headset facing upward.
Gurman believes that Apple is aware of the high expectations for the headset and is unlikely to stoke anticipation if it cannot meet those expectations. He also noted that Susan Prescott, head of developer relations, has called the conference Apple’s “biggest and most exciting yet,” indicating the company’s enthusiasm for the event. Rumor has it it might cost around $3,000.
