The long-awaited Apple AR/VR headset may finally see the light of day this spring. This is according to an article by Bloomberg, which also details a number of leaked features, what the interface will look like, and how the headset might actually work.

Rumors surrounding the headset have been heard here and there recently, but this series of leaked information gives a very realistic picture of how the headset might actually function. These include advanced hand tracking that apparently does not require a controller, the ability to view a Mac display, an iOS-like interface, and a new virtual FaceTime meeting feature.

According to the article, the headset could be called the "Reality Pro" and will cost a whopping $3,000; features that Apple will reportedly include to differentiate it from headsets like the Meta Quest 2 and PSVR 2 include hand and eye tracking capabilities, advanced FaceTime-based videoconferencing and conference rooms.

Hand and eye tracking will apparently be one of Apple's main selling points for the device; Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has reported similarly in the past about Apple testing features like hand tracking and gesture control reported similar things.

The article goes on to describe how this technology would work. Apparently, the headset will have a number of sensors on the outside that will work along with sensors inside the headset that can read eye movement. This will allow users to select items simply by looking at them. To open the selected item, the user must pinch the index finger and thumb together. For comparison, in other headsets, this function is performed with a hand controller.

One of the big questions surrounding Apple's VR/AR headset is how the company will use both virtual and augmented reality together. Mark Garman explained that the headset will feature two ultra-high-resolution displays that will support an "AR pass-through" mode.

This apparently means that users will see the real world through their glasses, and Apple will also offer a prescription option for those who need it. switching between AR and VR will be done via a digital crown, and will be backed by a replication from The Information (in a new tab) regarding a similar feature. Open in new tab) about a similar feature and is backed up with a replication from The Information (open in new tab).

Another "core feature" is immersive video viewing, which is nothing new for VR devices, but it allows users to "feel like they are watching a movie on a giant screen in another environment, like a desert or outer space." For enhanced sound, the headset will likely be paired with Apple's own AirPods.

FaceTime will be able to render the user's virtual avatar. These may not be in notepad format, but will reportedly be "realistic" renderings of the user's face and body.

Another notable feature is that the Mac display will be visible to the user in virtual reality; the Mac controls will remain the Mac's physical trackpad, mouse, and keyboard.

It was previously reported that Apple is developing an "air typing" feature for the headset, but Garman now says it may not be ready for launch. Users will be able to use Siri along with the iPhone, iPad, and Mac keyboards for text input.

The operating system behind the headset could be called xrOS, which we have also heard in the past; it will include apps such as Safari, Photos, Mail, Messages, and Calendar, with an app store for third-party apps.

As for the hardware, there will be a variation of the M2 chip and a dedicated processor for graphics and mixed reality experiences, which could be called the "Reality Processor". The battery will be offloaded into the user's pocket, so there is no possibility of overheating near a person's face. It also has a cooling fan that can keep the headset charged for two hours at a stretch.

The front of the headset will have a curved screen and will be made of aluminum, glass, and cushion, apparently similar to Apple's AirPods Max headphones.

As with most VR headsets, gaming may be a big part of third-party apps. Apple is also working on health tracking features, but it is unclear if these will be launched with the first version of the headset.

This could be Apple's first new category launch since 2015, when it debuted the Apple Watch. The company has reportedly had a team of 1,000 people working on the headsets for the past seven years, and they could finally be launched this year. If not in the spring, Gurman said the iPhone maker could announce it at WWDC in June and launch it by the end of the year.