Apple’s Metaverse Ambition

A long time ago, it was almost an open secret for Apple to focus on the research and development of AR/VR head displays in the exploration of the metaverse. Especially from a series of patents applied by the company in recent years, it can be seen that various AR/VR related technologies cover UI, UX, hardware, optics, data transmission, sensors and other aspects.

For example, not long ago, USPTO published a 3D Avatar-related patent from Apple, which describes a low-cost 3D image scanning scheme, which can use an XR head display, mobile phone, tablet computer, computer camera to scan different body parts such as the head, hand, torso, etc. The generated avatar action is controlled by the user and can move in 3D scenes such as AR/VR.

As well as on the latest October 18, Qcc.com (a platform for querying enterprise credit) showed that the patent of "gloves based on IMU" applied by Apple was authorized, with the authorization announcement No. CN109582125B. The patent abstract shows that the present disclosure relates to a VR glove capable of measuring the movement of a single phalanx and thumb bone. The VR glove may include a plurality of inertial measurement units (IMUs) to track said movement of one or more finger segments or hand segments. The IMU can include one or more motion sensors, such as a gyroscope and accelerometer. The IMU can be positioned adjacent to the finger (or thumb) bone and can measure the inertial motion of the corresponding bone.

The layout of the Metaverse

According to the report of Ming-Chi Kuo, an analyst from HK Green Finance Association, Apple will launch the AR head display in the fourth quarter of 2022, which will be equipped with a flagship chip with performance comparable to M1 and Sony 4K Mirco OLED display. Apple's AR head display needs 6-8 lenses for real-time optical processing, which requires much more computing power than the iPhone, so it will use a Mac class processor. This AR head display will be equipped with two chips, one high-end Mac processor, and one low-end chip.

For a long time, Apple has been far ahead of other hardware products in the world, such as mobile phones. Metaverse Apple will certainly not be absent, perhaps just waiting for an opportunity to accumulate.

Regarding VR/AR, Apple has been preparing for this area for many years, and there are traces to follow, compared with the iPhone, Apple has been preparing for an AR head display for more than a decade. Data shows that since 2010, Apple has applied for more than 2000 AR/VR related patents; Apple has invested in or acquired more than 20 AR/VR business companies, covering fields such as bionic chips, ultra-wideband chips, sensors, micro LED screens, optical guided waves, and space sound field technology that can be tracked and located.

What kind of metaverse will Apple build? After all, with the help of the ecology formed by AR glasses and mobile phones, Apple has accumulated enough capital to enter the metaverse. Apple AR head display will focus on games, media consumption, and communication. This is highly coincident with the vision of the metaverse.

Industry insiders believe that Apple's metaverse will be a pan entertainment that users can use every day. Like the iPhone and Apple Watch, Apple wants to make the AR head display a consumer electronic product that people use every day.

Apple's Ambition

"We have seen a lot of potential in the field of the metaverse and increased investment in this field." Cook once answered investors' questions about the metaverse project.

Currently, according to informed media, Apple hopes to lead the VR/AR industry again.

Compared with competitors, Apple's AR head display has three advantages: Mac-level computing capability, independent operation without Mac or iPhone, and wide application support. It is estimated that AR glasses may be available by 2025, and Apple's goal is to replace iPhone with AR/VR devices 10 years later. At present, there are more than 1 billion iPhone users, which means that Apple will sell at least 1 billion AR/VR devices within 10 years. Due to the rising interest in the concept of the metaverse, the Apple brand with its own IP halo is likely to sell better than the iPhone.

Neil Shah, an analyst at Counterpoint Research, a research institution, said: "Services related to the metaverse, such as AR applications, may change Apple's revenue mix."

According to the data of Global Market Insights, the market size of AR products will reach 165 billion dollars by 2024, with a rapid growth of 80%.

Although Apple was later than Google in deploying AR glasses, it had a better time. Google launched Google Glass as early as 2014, but the software and application scenarios were not ready at that time.

Apple's cleverness is to let others try first and dominate the market by themselves because most of the technologies adopted by Apple can become mainstream in the future.

Perhaps Apple has no choice. AR is likely to replace iPhone in the future, and Apple must ensure that it will not fall behind when people change the way they use hardware.

Conclusion

However, we should be aware that the metaverse seems promising, and whether Apple can achieve the commercialization of the metaverse with AR and VR is still unknown.

The road to the metaverse is long and distant. Apple may one day enable us to realize the real "metaverse" as soon as possible. After all, it is Apple.

Author: Gate.io Observer: Byron B. Translator: Joy Z.

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