Because the saying goes: When there’s smoke, there’s fireplace. And judging by the quantity of smoke popping out of the rumor mills and reviews about Apple’s subsequent massive product, a hybrid digital actuality/augmented actuality headset, we’re virtually assured to see it in the course of the WWDC 2023 opening keynote on Monday. 

Additionally: Apple could ship its upcoming headset with some crucial warnings

The headset will purportedly carry the identify Actuality Professional and share the identical fundamental design components of a pair of snowboarding goggles. There will be a battery pack that it’s a must to hook up with the headset utilizing a cable, with the pack presumably hooked up to your hip or in a pocket.

Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has finished a ton of reporting concerning the headset, detailing what he is heard from these on the within concerning the numerous {hardware} and software program features of what is shaping as much as be considered one of Apple’s most anticipated {hardware} launches for the reason that Apple Watch in 2014. 

The present rumored value of Actuality Professional? $3,000. If you happen to want a second to catch your breath, please take it. I am going to wait. 

That price ticket begs the query “What would it not take for Apple to persuade you to pay $3,000 for the headset?” And the reality is, there’s nothing I can consider proper now that Apple might present Actuality Professional doing that may persuade me to half methods with that a lot cash. 

Additionally: Meta Quest 3 unveiled: Worth, options, and when you should buy Meta’s new VR headset

You see, for the final yr or so, I’ve had entry to the $400 Meta Quest 2 headset. Meta despatched it to me when the corporate was pushing Horizon Worlds for enterprise conferences. I by no means did find yourself utilizing it for a gathering — it is awkward and bizarre. As a substitute, I’ve spent a while with my youngsters taking part in video games like Beat Saber and watching them play Gorilla Tag. 

Taking part in both of these video games, relying in your depth degree, can really feel lots like a exercise. There are occasions when you find yourself out of breath and lined in sweat. The scarf that surrounds the within of the headset, going between it and your face, typically finally ends up drenched. And it is pungent. And gross. Simply interested by it makes me say ew!

How Apple could persuade us to spend $3,000

In April, Gurman reported about a number of the use circumstances Apple is at present engaged on for Actuality Professional. It will reportedly have options like the power to run 3D variations of iPad apps, use 3D avatars for FaceTime calls, have a serious gaming push, and combine with Apple’s Health+ service for exercises, amongst different options. 

None of that sounds compelling sufficient to me to justify the $3,000 price ticket, however least of all is the thought of taking part in a Health+ class with Actuality Professional strapped to my face. 

Additionally: One of the best VR headsets for gaming, the metaverse, and past

Are you able to think about attempting to do a burpee with a VR/AR headset hooked up to your head? I can not. It sounds extremely uncomfortable and is not interesting within the slightest. 

To not point out the headset reportedly would not even have an embedded battery, that means that there is going to be a free cable going from someplace on the headset to the battery that is elsewhere in your physique. To me, that is simply asking for the cable to get caught up in my arm as I do a kickboxing class, in flip ripping the headset off my face, throwing the battery towards the wall or each. Possibly a meditation class will likely be higher? 

Then there’s the sanitary facet of sweating within the headset and the cushions which can be certain to be in place. It should odor and get gross over time. And if you happen to share it with a roommate or member of the family — which if you happen to’re spending $3,000 on it and you are not a developer or enterprise person, you are doubtless sharing it with somebody, proper? — the cleanliness of the headset is certain to be a difficulty. 

When will the Actuality Professional headset be accessible?

Just like the Apple Watch, Actuality Professional may have a prolonged delay between announcement and wider availability. The present line of pondering is that the headset will likely be introduced on the developer convention, and hit retailer cabinets earlier than the tip of 2023. The primary Apple Watch was introduced in September and launched in April of the following yr.   

Additionally: Apple’s VR/AR headset is coming. Here is the whole lot we all know to this point

The time between the announcement and launch provides Apple extra time to shine the software program and {hardware} expertise and it provides third-party builders time to work with the brand new software program, porting and optimizing current apps or creating solely new experiences for the headset. 

I do not actually know what Apple plans for Actuality Professional and the way the typical client will use the headset. However primarily based on the variety of options and apps that’ll reportedly be accessible on day one, it certain sounds lots like Apple would not actually know both.