Subj : The Apple AR/VR headset could have a clunky MagSafe battery pack
To   : All
From : TechnologyDaily
Date : Mon Apr 24 2023 23:00:03

The Apple AR/VR headset could have a clunky MagSafe battery pack

Date:
Mon, 24 Apr 2023 21:49:57 +0000

Description:
New leaked info suggests Apple will have an external battery to lower weight 
for its headset, but it won't last very long.

FULL STORY
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New rumors for Apples virtual reality headset, the reportedly named Reality 
Pro , suggest the company is taking an unusual approach by giving it an 
external battery pack. 

This round of information comes from a recent Bloomberg newsletter by notable 
industry analyst Mark Gurman who claims Apple made the choice in an effort to 
reduce weight and improve comfort. The battery pack is said to be small 
enough to fit inside your pocket and will connect to the VR headset via 
cable. This design choice flies in the face of most headsets which typically 
have an internal battery like the Oculus Quest 2 . 

Gurman goes on to say the pack looks similar to the iPhone MagSafe battery . 
However, its bigger at about the size of an iPhone but thicker. It's revealed 
that the Reality Pro will have two ports: a USB-C connector for handling data 
while the other is a proprietary charger input. Gurman states the charging 
cable jutting from the pack will connect to the port magnetically where 
future users will then have to rotate it clockwise to lock it in place. 
Clunky design 

Now heres the kicker: the charging cable is integrated into the battery and 
apparently that battery only lasts about two hours. You wont be able to 
hot-swap in a third-party power bank with a longer lifespan, making what 
should be a simple process pretty cumbersome. Whats strange is the pack can 
be charged via USB-C and can connect to a MacBook Pro power adapter, 
according to the newsletter. Given the short battery life, future users will 
probably be forced to purchase extra battery packs, something that Gurman 
imagines will be the case. He also points out that the short battery life is 
most likely a consequence of the Reality Pro sporting an M2 chip plus two 4K 
displays. 

The newsletter doesnt show what the battery pack looks like; however, Twitter 
user Marcus Kane took Gurmans description to create a render of what the 
device may look like . He did take some creative liberties as his render 
looks thinner and taller than the MagSafe battery. Kane speculates that two 
battery packs will be enough for indefinite use [as] you could charge one as 
you use the other. Pricey tech 

Funny enough, Kanes comments speak to the other major problem with Apples 
rumored headset: the price tag. Rumors suggest the Reality Pro is predicted 
to cost around $3,000 USD (Ouch!). With customers potentially needing extra 
battery packs, youre looking at a really expensive gadget. People already 
complain about the PSVR 2 being more than a PS5 and thats, like, about a 
sixth of what Apples headset is reported to cost. 

The company is set to hold WWDC 2023 from June 5 to 9. Hopefully, well learn 
more about the VR headset then, but dont hold your breath. Another notable 
Apple analyst, Ming-Chi Kuo, claimed back in late March some production 
delays have created uncertainty around the device even making an appearance 
at the big event. TechRadar's best VR headsets in 2023



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Link to news story:
https://www.techradar.com/news/the-apple-arvr-headset-could-have-a-clunky-mags
afe-battery-pack


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