After years of rumors, Apple is nearly ready to announce its first mixed-reality headset. This device will combine augmented reality and virtual reality features in a high-end headset with a brand-new operating system. Here's everything we know about it.
What will Apple call its mixed reality headset?
Rumors suggest Reality Pro is the name of Apple's mixed reality headset. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman first reported on the name. According to Gurman, a shell corporation filed the Reality Pro and Reality One trademark for Apple.
This device will likely run xrOS, which potentially stands for "extended reality operating system."9to5Mac pointed out that Apple is working on two different platforms: xrOS and realityOS, but it seems the first is for the Reality Pro headset and the other one for the future Augmented Reality device.
When will Apple announce its mixed-reality headset?
Image source: Apple Inc.
Several analysts believe Apple will announce its mixed reality headset during the WWDC 2023 keynote, which will take place at 10:00 a.m. PT on June 5.
Apple's mixed reality headset: Design and specs
Analysts believe Apple's mixed reality headset will feature an "innovative three-display configuration" with two micro OLED 4K displays and another AMOLED panel for low-resolution peripheral vision. Ross Young says each lens will have a 1.41-inch with 4,000 PPI and up to 5,000 nits of brightness.
Apple could introduce a device similar to mainstream headsets, but with a premium look, by adding a stainless steel frame and a high-end mesh for the head, identical to what the AirPods Max offer.
Bloomberg says the headset will be powered by Apple's M2 processor with 16GB of RAM and additional technology for handling AR and VR graphics. The Information and analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said Apple could add even more tech to ensure it runs as smoothly as possible.
The Information also believes Apple could add iris scanning tech to its mixed reality headset to help users authenticate purchases, similar to what Face ID and Touch ID currently do.
Disappointing battery life
The battery could be one of the headset's weaknesses, as Bloomberg reports that it will likely last for a couple of hours and might require an external battery. In his Power On newsletter, Mark Gurman posted additional details about the gadget’s battery tech.
The AR/VR wearable will come with a portable battery -- a design compromise Apple had to make for the first-generation model. The headset would have been too heavy with the battery inside.
The mixed reality wearable will feature two ports. A USB-C connector can be used for data transfers. The charger port has a new design as well. The cable that goes into the headset has a round tip, and a magnet lets you attach it to the headset, but you’ll have to rotate the top clockwise to lock it in. That way, you don’t risk it falling during use.
The battery in your pocket will be inseparable from the cable attached to the headset. It’s about as big as an iPhone but thicker. It reportedly looks a lot like the iPhone MagSafe battery pack. It’ll also have a USB-C port for recharging.
Apple mixed reality glasses render might be the precursor of AR glasses that could replace the iPhone. Image source: Ian Zelbo
The mixed-reality headset will be able to switch from VR to AR features by spinning an Apple Watch-like Digital Crown. It will show immersive video content, work like an external display for a connected Mac, and even replicate the functions of an iPhone or iPad.
Users will be able to pinch their thumb and index finger together to perform an action without holding anything – different from other headsets that require a hand controller. FaceTime software, for example, will render a user’s face and full body in virtual reality in one-on-one chats. Additional users on a group call will appear as an icon or Memoji.
The xrOS operating system will have an iOS-like interface with MR-optimized versions of Safari, Calendar, Contacts, Files, Home Control, Mail, Maps, Messaging, Notes, Photos, Reminders, Music, News, Stock, and Weather apps.
Bloomberg also reports that Apple is preparing a version of Apple Books that will allow users to read in virtual reality. Gurman says Apple “is also working on a version of its Fitness+ service for the headset, which will let users exercise while watching an instructor in VR,” something Meta also tried to do with its Quest headsets.
The recently-launched Freeform collaboration app, which integrates a white canvas for iPhone, iPad, and Mac users, is also expected to launch for the mixed-reality headset as “an effort that [Apple] sees as a major selling point for the product.” Users will be able to work on virtual whiteboards together while in mixed reality, reports Bloomberg.
Interestingly enough, Apple wasn’t planning to focus on gaming with the mixed reality headset. Still, Gurman now says, "gaming will be a central piece of the device’s appeal, too,” although it’s unclear if the company plans to take advantage of Apple Arcade or if it will rely on third-party developers to bring MR games to the headset.
Price
The first-gen AR/VR headset will be more sophisticated and expensive than most anything available from Apple's competitors. Analysts believe it will cost around $3,000, although a price that high would limit the market considerably. Meta Quest Pro, for example, costs $999.
Release date
It's still unclear when customers will be able to purchase Apple's mixed reality headset, but it will likely be at least a few months after its announcement during the WWDC 2023 keynote. It's also unclear if the product will have a limited release in the US and a few other countries or if Apple will opt for a global rollout as it does with the iPhone, Apple Watch, Mac, and iPad.
This WWDC 2023 keynote could be one of the longest presentations Apple has ever made. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, the Cupertino firm could be planning to introduce "several new Macs," the upcoming mixed-reality headset, and new operating system updates (iOS 17, iPadOS 17, macOS 14, watchOS 10, tvOS 17, and xrOS).
While BGR already gathered the guides regarding the rumored new features for each operating system update, these are the possible new Macs Apple could introduce during this WWDC keynote from the most likely to the less likely – although still possible.
15-inch MacBook Air
A 15-inch MacBook Air is expected to be unveiled during the WWDC 2023 keynote. Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman believes Apple could unveil the long-rumored MacBook Air at the event, although this machine was previously rumored to be announced in April.
Rumors so far believe the 15-inch MacBook Air will have the same specs (8-core CPU with four performance cores and four efficiency ones + minimum of 8GB of RAM) as the 13-inch model released last year, besides a larger display and battery. That said, an improved webcam, MagSafe connector, and an industrial design should be available for this Mac.
Apple Silicon Mac Pro
After Apple unveiled the M2 Pro and M2 Max MacBook Pro in a press release alongside the M2 and M2 Pro Mac mini, the company could be preparing to finally launch the Apple silicon Mac Pro during the WWDC 2023 keynote.
The Mac Pro is expected to feature the same design as its predecessor and the M2 Ultra chip. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman says this Mac Pro will have two SSD storage slots for graphics, media, and networking cards. Unfortunately, it will likely not feature user-upgradeable RAM as it will be tied directly to the M2 Ultra’s motherboard.
Although the company usually focuses on software releases, it’s not unusual to see hardware products unveiled. The company could do the same again this year since the last Mac Pro was introduced at a WWDC in 2019.
M3 MacBook Pro
Apple still needs to announce the M2 Ultra processor, but that doesn't mean the company can't introduce the entry-level M3 chip. If that's the case, yet again, we could have the same look as the entry-level MacBook Pro with Touch Bar, but this time with an improved processor.
Interestingly enough, while the entry-level MacBook Pro is usually introduced alongside a new MacBook Air, it's unlikely that the company will unveil a 15-inch model with the M2 processor and then an M3 model with a 13-inch display. That said, Apple could wait to introduce any M3 Mac and focus on the other two new Macs.
Wrap up
WWDC 2023 is just around the corner. BGR will make sure to bring all the news as soon as we learn about them. Then, we'll bring extensive coverage on the new Macs, Reality Pro headset, and new operating system updates.
Ring Video Doorbells have become super popular for so many reasons. Affordability is certainly one of them, and that's especially true when there are Ring Video Doorbell deals like the new ones that popped up today on Amazon.
Prices start at just $38.99 for the Ring Video Doorbell Wired, which is one of the most popular models that Ring sells. That matches Amazon's lowest price ever for this top-selling model. There are also a few great bundle deals with this model. And on top of that, the top-of-the-line Ring Video Doorbell 4 has a new lower retail price, so you can save $60 on one of the most advanced doorbells that Ring has ever released.
In the era of the smart home, it seems like everyone has a video doorbell at this point. But there are still so many people out there who don't have one, and there are a variety of reasons that they're holding back.
If you're worried that upgrading to a video doorbell is going to cost you a lot of money, I can assure you that's not the case — especially right now, while there's a fantastic sale happening at Amazon.
The most affordable video doorbell model that Ring offers is called the Ring Video Doorbell Wired. It uses your existing doorbell wiring for power, and it includes all of the basic features you might expect a video doorbell to have.
You get motion notifications, of course, and you'll get a notification on your phone when someone rings the doorbell. Plus, since Ring is owned by Amazon, you can pair your Ring Video Doorbell Wired with something like the Echo Show 10, which is currently on sale with a free Ring smart light bulb. That way, you'll instantly see who's at your door whenever someone rings your doorbell.
I can't imagine being without my video doorbell, and I've made sure that everyone in my family also has one. It seems crazy to me that people would go without such a great and useful home security device in 2023.
The Ring Video Doorbell Wired is on sale this week with a huge 40% discount. That drops the price to just $38.99 from $65. That also happens to match the all-time lowest price for this model, so you know you're getting a great deal.
Or, you can get one bundled with a Ring Chime for $63.99 instead of $80. This price also matches Amazon's lowest price ever for the Chime bundle.
On top of that, Amazon is offering discounts on a few different Ring Video Doorbell Wired bundle deals. For example, you'll save 17% on the Echo Show 5 bundle.
And finally, if you want something a bit more advanced, the Ring Video Doorbell 4 and Ring Video Doorbell 3 are both still on sale. You can find more details on what makes these models so impressive in our coverage from a couple of months ago.
Netflix’s password-sharing ban is in effect, and some people have started deleting their accounts. I’ve been siding with Netflix ever since the company confirmed that it will no longer tolerate password-sharing outside the household. I think the protests are unnecessary, and I explained why more than once. That said, I believe there are ways to mitigate the Netflix password ban that don’t involve canceling your account or paying for extra access just yet.
It’s too early to act in either direction as long as we don’t know how much of an annoyance those Netflix account/household verification emails will be. As a reminder, the Netflix account holder sharing the password has 15 minutes to send that one-time verification code to their family and friends.
We don’t know how often those emails will drop and how much they’ll impact the Netflix viewing experience. But we can make it easier to verify devices. I’ve already shown you how to create a new email address and share that email’s password with your family or close friends with access to the Netflix account. In what follows, I’ll show you a different method: Auto-forwarding Netflix account verification emails.
When Disney announced the massive purchase of Fox, MCU fans realized that all the Marvel properties Fox held would return home. The X-Men, Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds), and Fantastic Four would finally be available to fight with and alongside the Avengers in the MCU. At the time, Disney confirmed that Deadpool will stay unchanged, implying that a Deadpool 3 film was already in the works.
But Marvel needed three years to confirm the Deadpool 3 release date. Well, it was Ryan Reynolds who dropped the giant bomb in a fashion that only the beloved Deadpool actor could pull off.
We'll cover all the information available about the movie below, including the theatrical release, the Disney Plus release date, the trailers, and details about the cast. You'll also find an extensive collection of Deadpool 3 rumors at the end of this post.
You'll want to avoid our "Leaks and rumors" section below if you hate spoilers. Another warning will follow before the spoilers section.
Netflix cranks out so much material on a weekly basis that it can sometimes feel barely possible to keep up with the endless new releases, let alone watch all the good stuff with the finite amount of free time you have. One result is that many fine movies and shows -- like the limited series Maid, starring Margaret Qualley, which debuted to a 100% Rotten Tomatoes score in 2021 -- come and go from the streamer pretty quickly. Today's hits are tomorrow's memories, and sometimes they disappear so comprehensively they barely even qualify as memories.
The 10-episode Maid, inspired by Stephanie Land’s New York Times bestselling memoir Maid: Hard Work, Low Pay, And A Mother’s Will To Survive, definitely seemed to fare better than many such titles when it first debuted. It was well-regarded and got a decent amount of attention. The series follows the story of “Alex,” played by Qualley. She’s “a single mother who turns to house-cleaning to -- barely -- make ends meet as she escapes an abusive relationship and overcomes homelessness to create a better life for her daughter, Maddy,” the official Netflix synopsis explains. This series, it continues, “is a raw and inspiring exploration of a mother’s resilience.” The source material is powerful enough that President Obama in 2019 even put it on the summer reading list he releases every year.
Margaret Qualley stars as Alex in the Netflix limited series "Maid." Image source: Ricardo Hubbs/Netflix
Maid features the kind of gut-wrenching, powerful storytelling that makes viewers cry their eyes out -- which is to say, not the kind of release you'd necessarily expect to enjoy a second life or an after-the-fact surge in popularity on the streamer. Nevertheless, that's exactly what's happening right now forthe series, which is skyrocketing up the US and global charts nearly two years after its initial release. And it's all thanks to TikTok.
Clips from Maid have been going viral on TikTok for days now, with some pretty big accounts sharing them and racking up millions of views -- thus ensuring that the TikTok algorithm works its magic and keeps showing them to more and more TikTok users.
And here's the most interesting part about Maid's resurgence on TikTok: It hasn't, well, stayed just on TikTok. The #9 Netflix series in the US, as I type these words? It's Maid -- again, almost two years after the fact (just behind Selling Sunset, which has a new batch of episodes that's just come out).
Every Tuesday, Netflix also updates its list of the biggest shows and movies worldwide -- and, yep, Maid has also returned to the global Top 10 TV chart, as well. Even Netflix itself has acknowledged the show's remarkable return to the global chart, and credited TikTok for the revival of interest:
It was Netflix's July 2020 quarterly shareholder letter that mentioned TikTok as a competitive threat for the first time, given how much user attention the social media app had started to command, at the expense of that same user attention going to Netflix. That letter also shared perhaps grudging admiration for the app, acknowledging that “TikTok’s growth is astounding, showing the fluidity of internet entertainment.”
What a strange and curious rival TikTok has become for an entertainment titan like Netflix, which both benefits from and competes with the app that continues to reshape entertainment in profound and lasting ways.
Earlier this year, astronomers discovered a quasi-moon, or “fake moon,” orbiting Earth. However, after taking a closer look, it turns out the moon -- which is actually just an asteroid named 2023 FW13 -- is not orbiting the Earth at all. It’s actually orbiting the sun. However, its orbit track has kept it close to our planet since 100 BC.
2023 FW13 is only 10-15 meters across, roughly the size of a five-story building, but it has caused quite a bit of a stir among skywatchers due to its intriguing orbit track and the fact that it’s estimated to stick close to Earth for the next 1500 years.
This isn’t the first time astronomers have spotted a possible quasi-moon near our planet, either. In fact, there have been a few encounters in the past where astronomers believed they had found a second moon orbiting our planet. However, Earth’s fake moon, as many have begun to call 2023 FW13, is the longest-standing of any of those quasi-moons we’ve discovered thus far.
An illustration of asteroids approaching Earth. Image source: auntspray / Adobe
Despite not being gravitationally bound to our planet, Earth’s quasi-moon sticks really close to the planet, and some believe it could even be useful for kicking off deep space missions in the future. That’s because its relative closeness to Earth and its lower gravity would allow for spacecraft to easily leave it behind, thrusting out into the dark unknown of space.
If nothing else, Earth’s fake moon would make an excellent practice ground for deep space missions, as it would only take astronauts a few months to reach the asteroid from our planetary home. From there, the possibilities are open to whatever the folks at NASA or any other space agency might come up with.
The search for a second Earth-based moon has been ongoing for decades, no doubt driven in part by the continued discovery of new moons orbiting Saturn and Jupiter. While our little planet will never have the same level of moons as either of those solar system icons, finding a quasi-moon would at least help make our planet feel even a little more special than it already is.
After announcing its new AI-powered Magic Compose feature for the Messages app at Google I/O 2023, Google began sending invites for the beta this week. As intriguing as the feature might be, you should know that some of your texts will be sent to Google's servers if you turn on Magic Compose. That will likely be a dealbreaker for some Android users, but if you don't care, here's what you need to do to get into the Magic Compose beta.
How to join Google's Magic Compose beta
In order to test unreleased features in the Messages by Google app, you need to join the testing program for the app. You can join the program by navigating to Messages by Google on Google Play and clicking "Become a tester." If you're already logged in to your Google Account, you will immediately be accepted to the testing program.
"You'll receive an update to the Messages by Google app if you already have it installed on your device," Google explains after you become a tester. "If you don't have the Messages by Google app installed, download it on Google Play."
It's important to note that being a tester does not automatically give you access to the feature. Google is rolling out the Magic Compose beta to a limited number of testers for the time being. The company also revealed that "Google One Premium members in the Messages beta testing program have priority access as more spots become available."
Unless you're willing to pay $9.99 a month for Google One Premium, you'll have to wait patiently for your invite. When and if you aren't invited to test Magic Compose, make sure that you turn on RCS chats in the Messages app, as the feature won't work without it.
If you want to know more about Magic Compose, watch this video from Google:
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