A rumor report from The Information surfaced this morning. We haven't read it all because it's behind a paywall. However, what they did reveal in their free snippet was rather useless. The report states that "A mixed-reality headset Apple is developing will be equipped with more than a dozen cameras for tracking hand movements and showing video of the real world to people wearing it, along with ultra-high-resolution 8K displays and advanced technology for tracking eye-tracking technology, according to a person with direct knowledge of the device."

The mention of 8K displays has been reported by us covering Apple patents. In 2019 we posted a report clearly titled "Apple's 8K Foveated Display Technology could apply to both Mini-Displays for a VR Headset & a Wall Mounted Display+." Apple using Eye Tracking technology in their HMD has been reported on  a minimum of three times in 2019, with many more patents surfacing since. So the key points of the rumor report shed nothing that isn't already well established. 

The rumor report further noted that "Those are among a bevy of features Apple is planning for the headset, a device that could represent one of the company’s most ambitious efforts to build a new technology platform. The Information viewed internal Apple images of a late-stage prototype from last year, which show a sleek, curved visor attached to the face by a mesh material and swappable headbands."

The one thing that's not shown in the prototype design is a manner of delivering audio to users. For the theoretical $3,000 price tag, Apple will have to supply a built-in audio system. One concept was presented in a patent pending invention revealed in December 2019. Images from that patent are presented below. 

Lastly, the report points to the biggest risk being the price. Reportedly Apple's discussions internally priced it around $3,000. While Microsoft's HoloLens sells for $4,950 for business users, it's pretty doubtful that Apple will be able to sell many MR headsets at $3,000.  It's dead in the water at that price no matter how good it is.

In the end it's a rumor and the pricing I suspect will come down to earth when they finally launch the device. If you want to learn more, all you have to do is take a subscription to The Information here.  If anyone has read the full Information report and found there to be a meaty factoid or two worth noting, drop us a note at [email protected] and let us know.