Apple glasses could be launching in 2020, as per a new note by tech analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. He has also reported that Apple is planing on launch a 10.8-inch iPad and 9-inch iPad mini in 2020/2021.
DigiTimes had reported back in March that Apple is engaging with suppliers to produce and ship Apple Glasses by 2022. Ming-Chi Kuo’s note pulls the expected date back to 2021. Kuo has also reported on new 10.8-inch iPad and 8.4 – 9-inch iPad mini, which are expected to release between second half of 2020 and first half of 2021. His note does not mention mini-LED based iPads, which he had previously reported on.
Apple Glasses and New iPads
As per the note obtained by MacRumors:
We predict that Apple will launch the new 10.8 inch iPad and 8.5–9 inch iPad mini models in 2H20 and 1H21, respectively. GIS will be the main touch panel supplier. The two new iPad models will follow iPhone SE’s product strategy, and selling points will be the affordable price tag and the adoption of fast chips. We believe that GIS will be the primary touch panel supplier for these two new affordable iPad models because the company is the largest medium-size touch supplier, thanks to the cost advantages of Megasite. We think that two new affordable iPad models will significantly contribute to GIS’s revenue because affordable models account for 60–70% of total iPad shipments.
If we had to make a guess, it seems that Apple is going to reduce the bezels on these new iPads and put larger displays on them. Otherwise, an iPad mini with a 9-inch display would not be so mini anymore. It would be great if Apple takes a leaf out of iPad Pro’s book and introduced the same design language for all iPads. To keep costs down, they could add under-display Touch ID, rather than Face ID which adds to the cost of the device.
Meanwhile, Apple Glasses are still rumored to launch by 2021 – 2023, and are expected to be the next major product from the Cupertino giant. It will enabled new augmented reality experiences, probably based on the learnings from iPhone and iPad. Apple will be using a new operating system, reality OS, or rOS, which would allow developers to create apps and use the advanced 3D and sensors in the glasses.
We had previously summarized various Apple Glasses reports from DigiTimes, Bloomberg and The Information:
A number of renowned tech-industry sources are claiming that Apple is developing augmented reality glasses, which will be released after the launch of its AR headsets in 2021-23 timeframe. Both devices might be based on a 3D sensor system, which would be an advance version of Apple’s existing Face ID sensor, and the new AR devices will be supported by a new ‘rOS’, which will ensure their compatibility with iOS. Reports also state that Apple plans to contact third-party developers in 2021 to build apps supporting the alleged AR hardware for various functions like virtual meetings, gaming and watching movies.
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