News

Apple Likely To Release 8K VR Headset In 2022

Published

4 years ago

February 12, 2021

apple likely to release 8k vr headset in 2022

Unsplash

Near the end of January, Bloomberg published a report claiming that Apple is working on what could be the most expensive 8K VR headset ever made. Now, a JP Morgan analysis, spotted by China Times, states that the headset could be available as early as Q1 2022, but it’s likely to cost around $3,000 USD.

Why the steep price? Because Apple’s first VR headset will likely boast dual 8K displays with eye-tracking technology, offering far better resolution than other VR headsets that are commercially available at the moment. For example, the $300 USD Oculus Quest 2 has a singular fast-switch LCD panel with a 1832×1920 per eye resolution, while the $700 USD HTC Vive Cosmos displays text and graphics through a 2880 x 1700 combined pixel resolution.

apple 8k vr headset illustrations

In addition to an ultra-high-resolution display, the headset is also expected to feature the combination of an optical radar (LiDAR) and a Time-of-Flight (ToF) sensor for accurate location of the headset in space. All these and other components will be coordinated by a new version of the M1 chip, the first ARM-based system on a chip designed by Apple.

The chip will be manufactured by TSMC, one of the world’s biggest semiconductor foundries, and the final assembly of the headset will be handled Pegatron or Quanta Computer.

According to a drawing published by The Information, the headset could feature a HomePod-esque mesh fabric and swappable Apple Watch-style headbands. Depending on the specific materials Apple decides to use, the headset could be considerably lighter than its competitors, which would definitely help with long-term comfort.

Also Read: Google Launches Its Dunant Subsea Cable Between The US And Europe

Because of how expensive the headset will be, some experts predict that its target audience will be professional content creators—not regular users. Currently, producers of virtual reality content have to rely on third-party VR headsets and deal with the potential compatibility issues associated with them.

News

UAE Prepares To Launch Two Satellites: Thuraya-2 And MBZ-SAT

HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum chaired the first meeting of the Supreme Space Council yesterday.

Published

3 days ago

December 17, 2024

Nour Nasir

uae prepares to launch two satellites thuraya-2 and mbz-sat

HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE, chaired the first meeting of the Supreme Space Council in Dubai on December 16, 2024. The session highlighted the UAE’s ambitious space plans and took stock of the sector’s economic progress.

The council emphasized the growing role of private companies in advancing space technologies, noting that their contributions are now equal to that of the public sector. Members also praised initiatives like the Space Economic Zones Programme, which are designed to fuel innovation and investment in the space industry.

خلال ترؤسنا الاجتماع الأول للمجلس الأعلى للفضاء، بحثنا الاستثمارات الوطنية والمشاريع المقبلة في قطاع الفضاء والذي يشهد تطوراً مستمراً… وجددنا التزامنا بدعم ومواصلة تنفيذ برامج طموحة لاستكشاف الفضاء الخارجي حيث وصل حجم الاستثمارات في هذا القطاع إلى 40 مليار درهم خلال السنوات… pic.twitter.com/etJ33OnuSu

— Hamdan bin Mohammed (@HamdanMohammed) December 16, 2024

Discussing the UAE’s space journey, HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum remarked, “The national space sector continues to grow and advance, and we take immense pride in the remarkable achievements we have accomplished over the years”.

Sheikh Hamdan also received updates on two upcoming satellite projects: Thuraya-2 and MBZ-SAT. Thuraya-2, developed by Space42, is slated for launch this December. Meanwhile, the MBZ-SAT, created by the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC), will soon follow. MBRSC, a major driver of the UAE National Space Programme, continues to lead the nation’s space-related developments.

Space42 took the opportunity to showcase its advancements, including ongoing collaborations between public and private entities. The company also outlined strategies to promote innovation, boost revenue streams, and create new opportunities for growth in the sector.

Also Read: IBM Opens New Doha Office To Support Qatar’s Digital Growth

The UAE’s current projects build on a growing legacy of space exploration. Back in 2020, the nation made headlines with its Mars mission, successfully sending a probe into the planet’s orbit in 2021. This mission, which is now in its second phase as of June 2024, has been collecting critical data to develop a comprehensive diurnal image of Mars.

The UAE also ventured into lunar exploration with an unmanned mission aimed at studying untouched regions of the Moon’s surface. While the probe ultimately crashed during its landing attempt after communication was lost seconds before touchdown, the effort represented a significant step in the country’s exploration ambitions.