A mixed-reality headset from Apple Inc. reportedly will house more than a dozen cameras for tracking movement, advanced eye tracking, dual 8K high-resolution displays, spatial audio and more bleeding-edge features that put it far above anything on the market today.

That’s according to a report today from The Information, which cited “direct knowledge” of the device from a source at Apple. Although many of these reveals may be accurate, it’s also important to keep in mind that these details are about a prototype and many of the specifications could change before the actual headset goes to market.

The first reveal of this upcoming headset came from a Jan. 21 Bloomberg report, which said the device, with the internal Apple codename N301, was in the “late prototype stage.”

The Information reported it viewed internal Apple images that revealed prototype images of a “sleek, curved visor attached to the face by a mesh material and swappable headbands.” It mentioned that the headband would feature spatial audio similar to AirPods Pro for a surround-soundlike experience.

The report also said Apple is developing a thimblelike device that can be worn on the person’s finger for extended gesture control. Advanced cameras within the device would provide advanced eye-tracking for foveated rendering for virtual reality, and 12 cameras on the outside of the device would permit passthrough for mixed-reality and augmented reality applications.

The inclusion of two 8K displays in the headset would make the picture quality of the device far beyond anything currently on the market, especially for a consumer headset. That includes even the Valve Index, which can reach 4K resolution and is the most expensive consumer headset available, and the Varjo VR-3, which is an ultrahigh-resolution, enterprise-ready VR headset.

The Information’s report agreed with the Bloomberg report that the likely launch date for the Apple headset is 2022, but at a significant cost of around $3,000. This means it’s likely an enterprise-focused product — the same market Microsoft Corp. now targets with the HoloLens.

In comparison, the Valve Index is one of the most expensive consumer headsets on the market, with a price tag of $999, whereas the Oculus Rift is $399 and the HTC Vive is $499. The Microsoft HoloLens 2 price tag starts at about $3,500, putting it nearly at the same price point as Apple’s planned headset.

Although The Information’s report focused heavily on the mixed-reality headset, it concluded with some commentary adding that Apple may also be working a pair of lightweight smart glasses that are augmented reality only. That device would overlay virtual objects onto a person’s view of the real world. But it’s still years away from release because of technological challenges.

According to the report, the source told The Information that Apple hoped to launch the AR/VR headset in 2022 and the glasses by 2023.

Image: Pixabay