Apple Headset Not Expected to be Shown During WWDC 2022, Believed to Retain 2023 Launch: Kuo

Apple is not expected to officially reveal its long-rumoured mixed reality headset during the company’s Worldwide Developers Conference. Although WWDC 2022 kicks off on June 6th, mass production is still a ways off, according to TF International Securities Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

As reported by MacRumors, Kuo published a set of tweets, setting expectations for the headset ahead of WWDC 2022. In the tweets, Kuo discussed the realities of the headset’s production timeline. Kuo also notes that it’s unlikely that we’ll see a mention of the realityOS software powering the device.

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It still takes some time before Apple AR/MR headset enters mass production, so I don’t think Apple will release AR/MR headset and rumored realityOS at WWDC this year. Apple’s competitors worldwide can’t wait to see the hardware spec and OS design for Apple’s AR/MR headset.

— 郭明錤 (Ming-Chi Kuo) (@mingchikuo) May 31, 2022

On top of production, Kuo claims that if Apple were to reveal the device during its WWDC 2022 keynote, it may open up the possibility of “copycat products.” Kuo reaffirms that Apple is likely to release its mixed reality headset in 2023. Therefore, if the company were to reveal the device in June, it increases the possibility of competitors launching similar products in the meantime.

As WWDC 2022 got closer, the likelihood of Apple showcasing its unannounced headset became smaller and smaller. Even Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman recently discussed that Apple may not highlight the device at all.

While any formal announcement may not happen, it isn’t that Apple isn’t prepping for its inevitable launch. It was only a few days ago that a trademark filing for Apple’s realityOS software was discovered. The foreign filing date of the trademark is scheduled for June 8, a few days after Apple’s keynote. While the timing is perfect, it’s come out that the legal requirements dictate the filing date. It appears as though it falling near WWDC was merely a coincidence.

Unfortunately, it seems as though we’ll be waiting a bit longer until Apple debuts its headset. Though, if the company aims to create a brand new segment in its ecosystem, it will be important for the company to begin creating the narrative of why every user needs an Apple mixed reality headset.