Tim Cook says ‘stay tuned’ for Apple’s AR headset

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Apple VR/AR headset takes big step toward production
Tim Cook wants you to get excited about Apple's AR headset
Concept: Martin Hajek/Computer Bild

Apple CEO Tim Cook teased the company’s rumored AR/VR headset during an interview with Chinese state-affiliated media on June 14.

He expressed his excitement about augmented reality and the opportunities in this space.

Tim Cook is still excited about AR

In an interview with China Daily USA, the reporter questioned Cook about the poor state of current AR/VR headsets.

“I am incredibly excited about AR as you may know, and the critical thing in any technology, including AR, is putting humanity at the center of it,” Cook said. “That is what we focus on every day.”

He said more than 14,000 ARKit apps in the App Store provide “AR experiences for millions of people around the world.” But augmented reality is still in a nascent stage, and there are a lot of opportunities in this space that excite Cook.

The CEO then teased Apple’s AR headset and said, “Sort of stay tuned and you’ll see what we have to offer.”

Could Apple demo its AR headset in September?

Rumors suggested Apple would demo “realityOS” at its yearly developer conference earlier this month. But the headset and the operating system were a no-show at WWDC22. Nonetheless, multiple analysts think the Apple’s mixed-reality headset could debut later this year or in early 2023.

Internal iOS 16 builds contain plenty of references to the headset’s OS. And Apple’s board of directors reportedly saw the AR/VR headset. Reportedly, Apple even asked Hollywood producer Jon Favreau to turn his Apple TV+ Prehistoric Planet docuseries into augmented reality or virtual reality.

These signs and more point to the product slowly but steadily inching closer to release.

Apple could very well give a glimpse at its AR/VR headset during its September iPhone 14 launch event. The company has done something similar for significant product unveilings in the past. It could then hold a full-fledged media event in January 2023 to highlight the headset’s key details, as rumored.

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