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Apple to unveil Rs 2 lakh-worth mixed reality headset soon, but some employees are not convinced

 Apple's mixed reality headset, one of the most anticipated products, is expected to be revealed at the company's Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June 2023. The product has been the subject of rumors for several years, with many reports suggesting that it could be priced at $3,000 (roughly Rs 2.46 lakh). According to reports, Apple recently held a high-profile meeting with its top executives to showcase the product, which suggests that its launch is imminent. However, some current and former Apple employees are skeptical about the product, particularly in light of the current shaky economy.

The New York Times reported that while some Apple employees are enthusiastic about the mixed reality headset, others are skeptical. The publication spoke to eight current and former employees, who requested anonymity due to Apple's strict policy against discussing future products. Some Apple employees are reportedly concerned about the $3,000 price tag for a product in an "unproven market." Others are unsure about the headset's utility.

A mixed-reality headset combines the capabilities of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) and resembles ski goggles. It can display information on the glasses and aims to replace smartphones. Mixed-reality headsets allow users to see virtual objects in the real world, while AR overlays digital information onto the real world, which is much sleeker and similar to prescription glasses.

While Apple is not the first company to test mixed-reality headsets, its competitors, Meta and Microsoft, have experimented with mixed reality and received a lukewarm response. In fact, Microsoft laid off employees working on its HoloLens mixed reality division to cut costs amid an uncertain economy. Meta's Reality Labs division, which oversees the development of the "metaverse," is facing pressure from investors due to poor financial results.

According to the NYT report, Apple typically enters established markets with refined products. For example, when iPods were launched, Sony and several other brands sold portable music players. Similarly, the iPhone entered a market dominated by Blackberry and Nokia phones. However, some Apple employees believe that the mixed-reality headset market is still niche, and the cost of production is high, as most components need to be built from scratch.

To ensure a lightweight design, Apple plans to use a custom chip and OS (operating system) for the mixed-reality headset and a carbon-fiber body. The company will also have to produce custom glasses for customers with weak eyesight. In the current tight economy, all of these factors may be a cause of concern for the company.

Carolina Milanesi, a consumer tech analyst for the research firm Creative Strategies, believes that "Apple is always pretty good at coming into a market when the market is already established and changing that market." Milanesi added that Apple's strategy for the goggles may open up new avenues, just as the Apple Watch did following its launch. After learning what consumers were doing with the watch, the company marketed it more as a fitness accessory similar to a Fitbit.

In conclusion, Apple's mixed-reality headset is expected to be unveiled at the WWDC in June 2023, and the company's top executives have reportedly already seen it. However, some Apple employees are skeptical about the headset's high price and its utility in an unproven market. Apple is known for entering established markets with refined products, but the mixed-reality headset market is still niche, and its production costs are high. Nevertheless, the launch of the headset may open up new avenues for the company, just as the Apple Watch did.